Contents
- What does nutmeg look like and what does it taste like?
- Where and how does nutmeg grow?
- The benefits of nutmeg
- Composition and calories
- 16 health benefits of nutmeg
- 1 Strongest Antioxidants
- 2 Anti-inflammatory properties
- 3 Antibacterial properties
- 4 Benefits for the digestive tract
- 5 Insomnia treatment
- 6 Anesthesia
- 7 Improves mood
- 8 Ensuring skin health
- 9 Eliminate bad breath
- 10 Pressure normalization
- 11 Hepatoprotective action
- 12 Antitumor qualities
- 13 Lowering cholesterol
- 14 Hair Growth Improvement
- 15 Weight reduction
- 16 Regulation of blood glucose levels
Nutmeg is a popular spice made from the seeds of Myristica Fragrans, a tropical evergreen tree native to Indonesia. It can be found as a whole seed, but is most commonly sold as a ground spice.
It has a warm, slightly nutty flavor and is often used in desserts and curries, as well as in drinks such as mulled wine and tea.
While nutmeg is more commonly used for its taste than its health benefits, it contains an impressive array of powerful compounds that can help prevent disease and improve your overall health.
What does nutmeg look like and what does it taste like?
Nutmeg is an evergreen tree, first described in the Moluccas archipelago, which is called the Spice Islands. Muscat, unlike other exotic nuts, is a rather low tree. In height, it reaches 15-20 meters. The crown of nutmeg is lush, has a pyramidal shape.
In nutmeg, the light brown seed and the red mesh shell that covers it (aryllus) are valuable. Muscat is not consumed like the usual types of nuts. A spice is prepared from the seed – nutmeg, from aryllus – nutmeg or mace.
Taste. Nutmeg has a pungent, pungent, peppery flavor that develops gradually and leaves a sweet aftertaste. When it hits the mucous membrane of the tongue, a complex bouquet of flavors “crumbles” into spicy, earthy, warm notes. The aroma of Muscat cannot be confused with anything else – sweet and spicy, with a nutty nuance, it is rich and warm. The maximum smell of spice is felt immediately after rubbing nutmeg on a fine grater.
Unlike nutmeg, mace has a more pronounced aroma and a less pronounced burning taste. It is found on sale much less often and is more expensive.
Where and how does nutmeg grow?
The ideal climate for growing nutmeg combines warmth and high humidity. The temperature should not fall below +20°C. The largest Muscat plantations are located in Brazil, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India. The nutmeg tree lives for about 100 years. The maximum yield from each nut is obtained in the first 40 years of life.
In botany, several types of nutmeg are described. For a person, fragrant nutmeg, represented by two varieties, is of particular value:
West Indian – with nuts of a pale yellowish color, with an exquisite taste.
East Indian – fruits are bright, orange with a rich spicy taste.
Nutmeg plantations produce up to three crops a year. After harvesting the fruits, complex processing begins, which takes place in several stages:
Removal of the outer amniotic membrane.
Separation of aryllus followed by drying, grinding to a powder.
Drying whole nutmeg under the sun or in special dryers. The process takes several weeks.
Removing the outer shell.
Keeping the peeled kernels in a solution of sea water and coral lime to eliminate pests and prevent germination.
Re-drying.
Grinding, cooking spices, vegetable or essential oils.
The benefits of nutmeg
Nutmeg is traditionally used in cooking as a spice. It is worth remembering that in Indonesian, Indian culture it has been included in traditional medicine recipes since ancient times. The centuries-old traditions of use are explained by the comprehensive effect of the active substances of the spice on the body:
Improves mnemonic and cognitive processes.
Stimulates the synthesis of endorphins, improves mood, fights depression.
Stops toothache, restores damaged gums.
Normalizes digestive functions, stimulates appetite.
Restores damaged skin, muscle fibers.
Stimulates the functions of the liver, kidneys.
Improves blood quality.
Strengthens the cardiovascular system.
The introduction of nutmeg as an element of the treatment of a particular disease should be discussed with the doctor in order to avoid the development of negative consequences.
Composition and calories
Calories 525 KKal
- Fats:
36,3 g
- Proteins:
5,8 g
- Carbohydrates:
49,3 g
- Water:
6,2 g
- Ash:
2,34 g
- Cellulose:
20,8 g
Vitamins | Quantity | % RDN |
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) | 0,35 mg | 23% |
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) | 76 mcg | 19% |
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) | 0,16 mg | 8% |
Vitamin B3 (PP, nicotinic acid) | 1,30 mg | 7% |
Vitamin A (retinol) | 30 mcg | 4% |
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) | 0,06 mg | 3% |
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) | 3 mg | 3% |
Minerals (in 100 g): | Quantity | %RDN |
Manganese | 2,9 mg | 145% |
Copper | 1,03 mg | 103% |
Magnesium | 183 mg | 46% |
Phosphorus | 213 mg | 27% |
Calcium | 184 mg | 18% |
Zinc | 2,15 mg | 18% |
Hardware | 3,01 mg | 17% |
potassium | 350 mg | 14% |
Other important connections:
Phytosterols — 62 mg (112% of RDI).
16 health benefits of nutmeg
1 Strongest Antioxidants
Starting a conversation about the valuable properties of nutmeg, you should start with its antioxidant qualities. The spice is saturated with compounds that can protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals.
Antioxidant substances have been found that are able to control the performance of free radicals:
Cyanidine.
Phenylpropanoid.
Terpene.
protocatechin acid.
caffeic acid.
ferulic acid [1].
2 Anti-inflammatory properties
Chronic diseases of the heart, joints and endocrine disorders are accompanied by inflammatory processes. In the composition of nutmeg, compounds were found – monoterpenes that suppress inflammatory reactions:
Sabine.
Terpineol.
Pinen.
To study the anti-inflammatory properties of nutmeg, an experiment was conducted on rats. At the first stage, the animals were injected with a drug that provoked an inflammatory reaction. Next, the experimental group of rats were given nutmeg oil. The control analysis showed that in this group, inflammatory markers decreased in animals, joint swelling and pain associated with inflammation disappeared. [2], [3].
3 Antibacterial properties
Laboratory studies have shown that nutmeg has an antibacterial effect on pathogenic microflora:
Streptococcus mutans.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.
Porphyromonas gingivalis.
The bacteria in question cause diseases of the gums, oral mucosa and carious damage to the teeth. In the course of one of the studies, it was found that the active substances of nutmeg are able to suppress the spread of bacteria of the genus E. Coli, namely O157, the cause of severe pathologies that can cause the death of the patient [4].
4 Benefits for the digestive tract
Nutmeg is used in a therapeutic diet for stomach ulcers. In case of indigestion, spice is added to various dishes. Indians like to flavor their desserts with nutmeg to make them easier to digest. In addition, the spice helps to get rid of diarrhea. To do this, nutmeg powder is washed down with cold water several times during the day.
5 Insomnia treatment
Another ancient recipe that makes falling asleep easier involves adding nutmeg powder to warm milk. This drink is recommended even for children. With its help, the nervous system calms down, drowsiness appears and healthy sleep occurs.
6 Anesthesia
The use of nutmeg helps to soothe joint and muscle pain, relieve swelling. The composition of the nut includes natural painkillers – myristicin, elemicin, safrole and eugenol, which stop soreness even with ulcerative lesions of internal organs.
7 Improves mood
Stimulation of nerve cells occurs due to natural chemicals that are similar to an aphrodisiac. They stimulate the synthesis of good mood hormones, have tonic properties, and help fight stress. Studies on small rodents have confirmed the pronounced antidepressant properties of nutmeg. [5], [6].
8 Ensuring skin health
Nutmeg is the perfect beauty product that works. It restores elasticity, healthy skin color, cleanses pores from black spots. Works great in combination with honey. To prepare a nutmeg scrub, mix the spice with honey and apply on the face with light, massage movements. After washing, you will be impressed with the result.
9 Eliminate bad breath
Unhealthy breathing appears due to the accumulation of toxins in the body. The antibacterial properties of nutmeg suppress the development of pathogenic flora, cleanse the circulatory and lymphatic systems. In addition, nutmeg contains eugenol, an essential oil that relieves toothache. Makelignan protects tooth enamel from caries and its unpleasant consequences.
10 Pressure normalization
Minerals, which are found in large quantities in nutmeg, stimulate blood circulation, regulate blood pressure, and maintain the health of the vascular walls.
11 Hepatoprotective action
Muscat chemicals suppress inflammatory processes in hepatitis of various origins, and contribute to the elimination of toxins. Muscat normalizes hepatic functions, protects hepatocytes from the action of harmful substances.
12 Antitumor qualities
The unique chemical compound myristicin, which is found in nutmeg, suppresses malignant changes in cells. Muscat slows down the growth of malignant tumors, prevents metastasis.
13 Lowering cholesterol
The systematic use of nutmeg in food helps to normalize the lipid profile of the blood, reduce the level of total cholesterol and triglycerides. This is a good prevention of cardiovascular diseases. [7].
14 Hair Growth Improvement
In addition to stimulating hair follicles, nutmeg fights dandruff and keeps the scalp healthy. Honey and coconut oil are added to nutmeg-based therapeutic masks.
15 Weight reduction
The natural components of nutmeg help facilitate the digestion of food, remove toxins from the body and normalize metabolism. Such a complex effect contributes to weight loss.
16 Regulation of blood glucose levels
Preliminary studies in rats have shown that high doses of nutmeg extract help lower blood sugar levels, improve pancreatic function [8].
Official medicine has received confirmed data on the beneficial properties of nutmeg after experiments with animals. The knowledge of traditional medicine, which has been using the spice for medicinal purposes for many centuries, gives hope that laboratory studies involving people will soon be carried out and nutmeg will take its rightful place in the complex therapy of many diseases.
[Video] Dmitry Obgal – nutmeg heals and pleases: