Nutmeg belongs to the nutmegaceae family of dicotyledonous plants, and refers to an evergreen broad-leaved tree native to the Molucca Islands of Indonesia. In English, it is called nutmeg, nutmeg, etc. It is divided into nutmeg, which is a part made by grinding nutmeg seeds, and mace, which is made by drying the part of the red bell in the part of the seed shell and making powder. there is.
Nutmeg is characterized by its characteristic sweet and mellow flavor and slightly bitter taste. When heated, the bitterness gradually diminishes and the sweetness becomes richer. Due to these characteristics, it is widely used to enhance the fragrance of bread and cookies, and it has been widely used as a flavoring material to add flavor to jam, jelly, butter, meat and fish dishes, and to remove odor and fishy smell. In addition, it is said to have various beneficial effects on the body due to its rich content of essential nutrients such as lignans, essential oils, and various vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin B group, calcium and magnesium.
Nutmeg’s excellent efficacy and the difficult nature of cultivation combine to create a rare value. In 17th century Europe, it was treated as a luxury item and was very popular, and it is said that it was sold at a very high price. In addition, the spice war for hegemony in the spice trade in the 16th and 17th centuries has been recognized for a long time as a spice with rare and excellent value as it was a war fought for nutmeg. Now, let’s take a look at the main benefits of nutmeg and what are the side effects to be aware of when ingested.
Nutmeg Key Benefits
1. Gastrointestinal health
The first effect of nutmeg is that it helps to improve the overall functioning of the stomach and intestines. It is said to be helpful in relieving symptoms such as indigestion and abdominal bloating, while at the same time warming the stomach to facilitate digestion.
It is also known to be effective in improving intestinal function and relieving symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea, as it is excellent in intestinal function to help normalize intestinal function, maintains the intestinal environment, and at the same time suppresses the growth of intestinal putrefactive bacteria. In particular, it is said that it helps a lot to warm the intestines when consumed in the summer, when the intestines are easily broken due to excessive intake of cold foods. In addition, nutmeg has beneficial effects in regulating inflammation levels and is known to be effective in relieving symptoms of inflammatory diseases related to the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
2. Antioxidant action
Nutmeg is rich in lignans, a type of polyphenol family, and is said to have an excellent antioxidant action to protect the body from free radicals. Based on this excellent antioxidant power, it protects the body from various viruses and pathogens, and at the same time exhibits excellent anti-aging properties, which is beneficial in slowing down the aging process.
3. Blood circulation
Thrombus, which is a solid mass of blood in blood vessels, causes reduced blood flow and damage to blood vessels. it’ll work Nutmeg prevents the formation of blood clots, the main culprit of such blood vessel damage, and is reported to be of great help in suppressing excessive coagulation and improving blood flow.
4. Improvement of sleep disorders
Nutmeg contains abundant essential oils, which help to suppress excessive activity of the central nervous system, thus prolonging sleep and preventing and alleviating the symptoms of insomnia caused by sleep disorders. In addition, nutmeg is known to have a beneficial effect on alleviating anxiety and stabilizing the mind via the serotonin and GABA nervous system, which are involved in nerve stabilization.
Other effects and side effects to be aware of when ingesting
In addition to the various effects mentioned above, nutmeg is also said to be excellent in perspiration, which is a phenomenon that secretes sweat from the skin, helping to warm the body and improve poor circulation. In addition, when nutmeg is consumed regularly, it is said that beneficial effects such as removal of bad breath and antibacterial action can be obtained.
Although nutmeg has many of these benefits, it is said that side effects may occur if consumed in excessive amounts at one time. Nutmeg contains a compound called myristicin. Excessive intake of this ingredient is known to cause hallucinations and at the same time cause various physical abnormalities such as mild excitability in the cerebrum, rapid increase in heart rate, constriction of the pupil, and emotional instability. Therefore, it is recommended to consume within the limit of not exceeding about 5-6 g (1 teaspoon), which is known as the proper daily intake. In addition, it is known that nutmeg has been used as an abortion drug in the past, so it is recommended that pregnant women avoid taking it.
