Cloves may conjure an image of hot mulled cider on a wintry day, but their powerful spice compounds offer more benefits than adding delicious flavor to favorite comfort foods. These pungent sweet-savory spicy buds are actually the dried buds of an Indonesian evergreen tree and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years as an antifungal, antiseptic and for many other medicinal purposes. (Source) Increasingly more research shows the potential of the spice in the treatment of cancer, mental illness and gastrointestinal health. A boon to bundt cakes and an arsenal of antioxidants, cloves demand attention with their potent flavor and exceptional health benefits. Learn the health benefits of cloves.
Health Benefits of Cloves
Cloves for Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Due to their high phenolic content, cloves have been found to exhibit much antioxidant activity. One study examined the cytotoxic effects of different types of clove extract on breast cancer cell lines, including water-based, alcohol-based and essential oil extracts. All extracts were found to have cytotoxic effects on the cancer cells, with the clove essential oil producing the highest cytotoxic effect. (Source) In another study, clove extract was found to have high antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity against bacterial strains, as well as high phenolic content activity. The results of the study suggest the potential of clove in cancer treatment due to its high antioxidant activity. (Source) Another study examined the inhibitory effects of clove ethyl acetate extract on human cancer cell lines. The extract was found to have cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines, while promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The extract also exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on colon cancer cells. (Source) Yet another study found clove extract to have chemopreventative effects on lung cancer in mice. The extract was found to reduce proliferation and to increase apoptosis of the cancer cells, providing more evidence for cloves in cancer treatment. (Source)
Cloves for Gastrointestinal Health
Cloves have been found to have potential benefits for gastrointestinal health due to their high phenolic content and antioxidant activity. One study investigated the phenolic activity of a clove powder on rats with ulcers, and found it to significantly inhibit ulcer formation and reduce lipid peroxidation. (Source) Another study analyzed the gastroprotective effects of clove essential oil and its chief component eugenol in rats. The essential oil and eugenol exhibited anti-ulcer activities and enhanced gastric mucus production in the rats, providing preliminary research needed for further research on the gastroprotective effects of clove. (Source)
Cloves for Liver Health
One of the health benefits of cloves is liver support. Research shows cloves to provide liver health benefits because of their high eugenol content, a chief anti-inflammatory, antioxidative compound. One study investigated the effects of a eugenol-rich fraction of the clove bud on liver cirrhosis in animals. The clove treatment was found to significantly reduce hepatic cell proliferation and processes involved in liver cirrhosis. (Source)
Cloves for Mental Health
Cloves have been studied for their positive effects on mental health. One study investigated the antidepressant-like effects of clove essential oil on mice experiencing stress. The essential oil was found to produce antidepressant effects on the mice, indicating the potential of role cloves in promoting mental health. (Source)
Cloves for Diabetes Treatment
One of the health benefits of cloves are their potential for treating diabetes. According to recent research, cloves may be helpful for diabetes management. In one study, clove bud powder was administered to a group of rats with type-2 diabetes and was found to reduce blood glucose levels compared to the control group that was not given the clove bud powder. Additionally, the control group exhibited significantly higher lipid concentrations (with the exception of HDL) compared to the groups that were fed the clove bud. Additionally, the clove bud powder supplementation showed high anti-oxidative activity and was found to markedly reduce liver enzyme activity in the clove-fed rat group. (Source)
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
Cloves, 1 Tbsp (6g), ground
Calories: 21
Total Fat: 1g
Total Carbohydrate: 4g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Vitamin C: 9% Daily Value
Vitamin E: 3%
Vitamin K: 12%
Vitamin B6: 2%
Folate: 2%
Calcium: 4%
Iron: 3%
Magnesium: 4%
Potassium: 2%
Manganese: 98%