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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Julia Musto

The baking ingredient with surprising health benefits

  • Cloves, a spice used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, offer various health benefits beyond their culinary uses.
  • They possess antibacterial properties that can improve gum health by controlling plaque and reducing the risk of gum disease.
  • The spice contains eugenol, a compound shown to lower blood sugar levels and potentially improve bone mass, according to studies.
  • Cloves are rich in essential minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin K, supporting bone, blood sugar, nerve, and heart health.
  • They also function as natural antioxidants, protecting cells from damage, though concentrated eugenol can be an irritant or harmful in large quantities.

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