We know nutmeg above all as a useful spice to flavor our favorite dishes. In fact, it is a precious ingredient for the surprising benefits it offers to our health. Let's find out the most interesting properties of nutmeg and how to best use it.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousWe know the nutmeg especially as a useful spice to flavor our favorite dishes. In fact, it is a precious ingredient for the surprising benefits it offers to our health. Let's find out the property more interesting than nutmeg and how to best use it.
From the evergreen tree native to the Indonesian islands and botanically known as Myristica fragrans, nutmeg is obtained, a seed used as a spice. It is currently grown in the Caribbean, in other tropical areas of the world and also in southern India in the state of Kerala.
It is a delicate, slightly sweet spice, widely used (but in small doses) in kitchens all over the world. The tree is also very popular due to the essential oils obtained from the leaves, which are extremely beneficial to health and often dear to alternative medicine.
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Nutmeg, benefits
Even when used in small doses, nutmeg can still impact health in many ways, mainly due to its richness in vitamins, minerals, fiber and other substances.
But now let's find out the 10 main benefits that nutmeg offers.
Relieves pain
One of the active ingredients in nutmeg has natural pain relieving properties. Adding it as a spice to foods can therefore reduce the pain that results from wounds, injuries, chronic inflammation and conditions such as arthritis.
Facilitates digestion
Even by grinding the nutmeg and reducing it to powder, it retains its fiber content and consequently can stimulate the digestive process by promoting intestinal peristalsis. It also induces the secretion of gastric and intestinal juices which facilitate the digestive process even more.
Improve brain health
One of the lesser known benefits of nutmeg is due to the presence of two compounds, myristicin and macelignan, which have been shown to slow the cognitive decline of people with senile dementia or Alzheimer's. Studies have shown that these two active ingredients keep the brain functioning at a normal and healthy level.
Detoxifies the body
Nutmeg acts as a tonic and therefore promotes the overall health of the body. More specifically, it can help the liver and kidneys dispose of accumulated toxins from the body. In addition, the active ingredients present in the spice help dissolve kidney stones and increase the general function and efficiency of the kidneys and liver.
Oral hygiene
In folk medicine, nutmeg was considered the queen of spices when it came to oral health. The active antibacterial components present in it help kill bacteria and fight conditions such as bad breath. This is why nutmeg and its extracts are commonly found in toothpastes and mouthwashes, especially in herbal and organic versions.
Treat insomnia
For generations, nutmeg has been used as a home remedy for insomnia, just add a pinch of it to warm milk. It has a high content of magnesium, an essential mineral that reduces nerve tension and stimulates the release of serotonin, a hormone that the brain transforms into melatonin (essential for promoting sleep).
Anti-carcinogenic
Among the lesser known qualities of nutmeg there is also its potential use against cancer cells. Some studies have shown that certain compounds present in the spice and its essential oil can actually induce cell death (apoptosis) of leukemia cells, thus blocking the spread of this type of cancer.
For skin health
Traditional medicines have long used nutmeg to improve the appearance and health of the skin. A paste made from this spice, water and honey is commonly applied to help reduce inflammation and irritation of the skin.
Regulates blood pressure
The potassium present in the spice is a vasodilator which relaxes the blood vessels thus reducing the pressure and strain on the cardiovascular system.
Improve bone health
The calcium in nutmeg can improve bone health by helping to repair and grow bones, including relieving symptoms of osteoporosis.
How to consume it to get benefits
The key word when taking nutmeg is caution. Consuming it in large quantities, in fact, can even cause poisoning. Excessive doses of this spice can have psychotropic, hallucinatory and narcotic effects on people as well as lead to seizures, irregular heart palpitations and vomiting.
So how do you get the maximum benefits from its consumption without risking anything? It is good to take it in small doses and never exceed 2 grams per day.
The consumption of this spice during pregnancy is not recommended because it can cause miscarriages, to be avoided even in case of epilepsy or neurological problems.
Nutmeg in the kitchen
Having made the necessary clarifications, we can sprinkle our favorite foods (both sweet and savory) with nutmeg. In the United States, a very common way to use it is in desserts, especially for flavoring apple or pumpkin pie. Nutmeg is also used in eggnog and in drinks such as chai or mulled wine.
It lends itself particularly well to enriching creamy or cheese-based dishes and is often added to béchamel to give it that unmistakable taste. The spicy flavor of nutmeg offers a pleasant contrast to the creaminess of the cheese but is also used to flavor meats and is an ingredient often found in spice blends such as garam masala or curry.
