8 Health Benefits Of Eating Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a world-renowned spice derived from the perennial tree known by the scientific name Myristicafragrans.

Indigenous to the spice islands located in the Indonesian rainforest, this tree can be credited with bearing not one but two prominent spices, namely, nutmeg and mace. This cannot be said of any other tree known to man, making Myristicafragrans or the nutmeg tree quite the find.

Although predominantly a tropical plant that’s grown in the Caribbean and Asia, the acclaim of nutmeg has traveled far and wide. Nutmeg, which is essentially the seed of the tree, is characterized by a delicately warm and sweet tinge, which accounts for its popular use in a wide array of culinary traditions.

Even a dash of this spice can enliven your desserts, confectionaries, broths, gravies, and curries with a complex richness of taste and a pungent aroma.

* Fights Depression and Anxiety

If you suffer from anxiety or depression, nutmeg is a great natural treatment. The volatile oil compounds myristicin and elemicin in nutmeg offer mild sedative and anti-anxiety benefits by activating the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain.

It also works as an adaptogen that helps the body and mind to cope with stress. Thus, nutmeg provides the dual advantage of lowering your blood pressure in times of stress and lifting your spirits when you are feeling down.

* Boosts Brain Power

Nutmeg can work like a brain-boosting tonic to keep your cognitive functioning at its best. There is quite a precedence in this regard with ancient Roman and Greek civilizations relying heavily on nutmeg for its neuroprotective properties.

The compound called myristicin in nutmeg aids in improving memory by stimulating and preserving the neural pathways in the brain. It also improves concentration and the ability to focus. Furthermore, it inhibits an enzyme that contributes to Alzheimer’s disease.

* Fights Insomnia

For people grappling with lack of sleep, sleep distress, or full-blown insomnia, nutmeg can work as a natural sleep aid. Owing to its magnesium-rich composition, nutmeg helps palliate nerve tension and stimulates the release of serotonin, which in turn induces a sedative and calming effect that helps you doze off.

* Relieves Joint and Muscle Pain

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of nutmeg can be attributed to its inherent essential volatile oils such as myristicin, elemicin, safrole, and eugenol. Thus, this spice, as well as the oil derived from it, can be an effective chronic pain reliever for people suffering from inflammatory conditions such as joint and muscle pain.

* Improves Digestion

Nutmeg is a carminative that is good for the digestive system in more ways than one. In addition to easing common nausea, vomiting, indigestion, bloating, gas, and diarrhea, it can also aid in managing symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

It helps to increase the secretion of gastric and intestinal juices, thus ensuring speedy and smooth processing of the ingested food. Also, being rich in fibers, nutmeg adds bulk to the bowels and helps them move along the intestinal passageways with greater ease, thereby preventing the common digestive discomfort of constipation.

* Prevents Tooth Decay and Cavities

Nutmeg is also beneficial for your oral health because of its antibacterial properties. It’s considered a natural oral disinfectant or toothpaste, which has the potential to eliminate harmful strains of bacteria inside the mouth that are culpable for a number of dental issues, including cavities and tooth decay.

Furthermore, nutmeg contains the volatile essential oil that goes by the name of eugenol, which helps mitigate toothaches.

* Boosts Immunity

Nutmeg can also give your immune system a boost. It enhances your immunity due to the presence of minerals and vitamins that contribute to its antioxidant action.

Antioxidants help protect your body from free-radical damage, which can otherwise have a negative impact on your immunity and make it hard for your body to fight off illnesses.Also, nutmeg is rich in potassium, calcium, iron, and manganese that play a key role in improving your body’s immunity.

* Aids Detoxification

Proper detoxification is important to ensure your body’s overall health. Much of the burden of this task falls on the liver and the kidneys. Nutmeg offers the much-needed support to these organs to ensure their optimal functioning, by reducing the toxic burden on the body.

Enriched with antioxidants, nutmeg helps reduce free radical activity in the liver and activates enzymes in the liver that help remove toxic compounds. Nutmeg extracts can also prove beneficial in treating liver disorders, injuries, and inflammation.