Nutmeg, especially concentrated in the form of nutmeg powder, offers a host of health benefits. In this article, we discuss these benefits in detail.
The seed derived from a popular evergreen tree of Indonesia holds one of the most coveted spices in human history. Nutmeg spice, also known as Myristica fragrans, is native to a small grouping of islands off the coast of Indonesia known as the Banda Islands.
You May Aslo Like:
Skin Cancer: New Moderna Vaccine Shows Promise for Melanoma Treatment
Parkinson’s Cases May Be 50% Higher Than Previously Thought: Why That’s Important to Know
This spice was first discovered in 1512 by the Portuguese, who prompted its globalization and admiration as a nutty culinary additive. The aromatic nature of nutmeg, often crushed to powder and sprinkled on a vast array of dishes, is not the spice’s only benefit. Folklore speaks of the great health benefits derived from nutmeg powder that modern research has confirmed today.
Antibacterial
One of the most powerful health benefits of nutmeg powder is its antibacterial effects. It can eradicate the bacteria that are known to cause dental cavities and gum disease, while nutmeg oil contains a chemical compound called eugenol, which can be used for toothache relief. Nutmeg is also well known as an inhibitor of the growth of E. coli, a bacterium that can cause serious illness.
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
The seed nutmeg powder is derived from contains an abundance of plant compounds that can act as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants prevent cells from being damaged by free radicals. Examples of compounds that can remove these oxidizing molecules are vitamins C and E, and they’re found in nutmeg. Nutmeg powder also contains anti-inflammatory enzymes. Monoterpenes, sabinene, terpineol, and pinene in nutmeg boast anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds can help reduce swelling in the heart, joints, and brain.
Brain health
In recent decades, depression has become a leading health issue nationally, some calling it an epidemic of our time, with 1 in 10 Americans affected. Almost one-half of people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). GAD affects 6.8 million, or 3.1%, of Americans.
The vitamins found in nutmeg powder can help reduce the brain inflammation associated with depression and anxiety. To combat the inflammation associated with these illnesses, a mechanism in the body creates an antioxidant defense. Nonenzymatic antioxidants come in as a secondary defense, and these include vitamins A and C, both offered in nutmeg powder. A study showed that administering vitamins A, C, and E over six weeks to individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) reduced their anxiety symptoms.
Another study revealed that when lab mice were given M. fragrans (nutmeg) extract, it induced an antidepressant-like effect. This effect seemed to be mediated by an interaction with the adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems. The compounds myristicin and elemicin found in nutmeg powder create a mild sedative and anxiolytic response in the activation of the neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, in the brain.
Although current research on these benefits is limited to animal studies, this evidence shows that nutmeg powder may have neuroprotective properties to help optimize brain function. However, you must recognize that although nutmeg can have highly beneficial effects, when the compound myristicin is consumed in high doses, it can cause significant side effects due to its psychoactive properties.
Isolating nutrients
One way to increase health and combat illness is to isolate specific beneficial nutrients in foods like nutmeg powder. As research shows, certain foods can affect the chemical composition of the brain. Although a holistic, nutrition-focused approach is ideal, introducing dietary changes or simple addition of certain individual nutrients to meal preparation can be difficult in the business of life. This is why supplements can appear to be a more practical approach to health improvement.
Incorporation of nutmeg powder into your diet
One of the best ways to consume nutmeg for its health benefits is through a supplement. Medicine Man Plant Co. is a company that incorporates the benefits of nutmeg powder into a synthesized daily pill. Their goal as a company is to dig up the ancient plant wisdom that has kept people healthy for millennia and reintroduce these important concepts to the general public. Medicine Man Plant Co. has observed science’s movement towards replacing the natural with the lab-made, and they recognize how modern science has created effective ways to manipulate brain chemistry, while also understanding that plant and mushroom nutrients in the body should not be deleted entirely from the equation.
Medicine Man Plant Co. accomplishes this through responsibly sourced and tested ancient plants and mushrooms that have been powdered and compressed by modern science into easy-to-swallow daily capsules. This standout supplement maker uses plants and mushrooms that go back to the earliest of times, compounds that have been improving human health for ages. Their Serenity Pill is a highly bioavailable formulation that contains 100 mg of nutmeg powder in a capsule that will enhance your mood, decrease stress, and introduce a feeling of relaxation.
Nutmeg powder is often referred to as a simple kitchen spice in modern cuisine. However, this aromatic spice can add rich nutrients to your diet, boosting overall health in many ways, including the health of your brain, mouth, joints, and heart. Nutmeg powder has been highly sought after for centuries for these properties, and due to modern technology combined with ancient wisdom, you can receive these benefits today in a convenient capsule.
Further Reading for Additional Reference:
Dr. Axe: Nutmeg Benefits: the Super Healthy Holiday Spice
Organic Facts: Nutmeg: Nutrition, Benefits, Uses, & Dosage
Med India: Amazing Health Benefits of Nutmeg
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
