Allspice is a unique and ubiquitous spice that flavors many dishes and is added to many spice blends and seasonings. In addition to its flavor and fragrance, the health benefits of allspice will amaze you in ways you never expected. That is what we are going to look through in our article this time.
Allspice offers you a number of health benefits, making it a reason for you to include it in your regular diet. Those health advantages include:
- It relieves menopausal symptoms.
- Contains anti-cancer properties.
- Rich in antioxidants.
- Treats oral-related health issues.
- Aids digestion and gut-related health issues.
- It boosts metabolism and keeps you energetic
- Helps with brain function and cognitive-related health issues.
- Contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
- Contains hypotensive effect.
So, let’s discuss these nine health benefits that allspice delivers. By the end of this feature, you will have many reasons to consume allspice apart from its flavor and aroma!
We all know that allspice is a distinctive spice in its intricate flavor profile. The uniqueness of this spice doubles with the remarkable health benefits it has to offer.
In fact, allspice is rich in antioxidants and contains anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer properties. Allspice berries as a spice, leaf extract, berry extract, and allspice essential oil provide many advantages, improving many health conditions.
Moreover, this spice is plentiful in rich natural plant compounds such as
- Eugenol
- Gallic acid
- Ericifolin
- Quercetin
When Allspice is incorporated with other nutrient-dense spices and herbs in your regular meals, you will automatically get the opportunity to experience the fortified health benefits of this spice.
So, without further ado, let’s take the leap to see how these natural plant compounds directly deal with the health issues of the human body.
01- Allspice Relieves Menopausal Symptoms
Menopause symptoms affect about 70% of women after approaching the age from 40s to 50s. But, studies have found that women in South and Central America experience these symptoms a bit more earlier in their lives.
Accordingly, a study conducted using women from Maya, and Costa Rica was given the allspice leaf extract. In this particular study, they found that methanol in allspice leaf extract contains properties that could alleviate the symptoms of menopause.
The study further showed results in lowering the menopause symptoms like night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, and unexpected weight gain in women.
Allspice leaf extract is linked to estrogen receptors that could send false signals enabling your body to think that estrogen levels are stabilized. In this way, it will help to manage menopausal symptoms.
02 – It Contains Anti-Cancer Properties
Cancer-fighting properties of allspice is an outstanding health advantage that it gives. The Quercetin, Gallic Acid, and Ericifolin contents of this spice have anti-cancer properties that help prevent cancer cell growth and kill cancer cells.
It has the ability to prevent the spread of decrease tumor growth, spread tumors, and promote the programmed mortality of cancerous cells. Fortunately, by including allspice in your regular diets, you will have the opportunity to prevent breast, gastric, duodenal, prostate, and colon cancers.
The studies on its effectiveness on breast cancer suggest that it clears unnecessary cancer cells and degrade them. Gastric cancer analysis showed the efficacy of inhibiting carcinogenic bacteria. At the same time, prostate cancer examinations also eliminate and subvert cancerous cells through the extract of allspice.
The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs. But, rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition
Thomas Edison, Inventor and Businessman
03 – Rich In Antioxidants
Oxidative stress cause impairment to DNA, proteins, and lipids and has been extensively involved in various pathological conditions. They implicate cancer, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, aging, and other chronic and deadly diseases.
Recently, there has been a comprehensive investigation into the antioxidant properties of natural dietary agents. The free radical hunting mastery is shown by the whole extract and components of the plants.
Studies show that allspice is known for its antioxidant activities. And furthermore, it contains many compounds that have antioxidant activities that have been separated and distinguished.
The ethyl acetate extract of allspice, which included polyphenols, showed powerful antioxidant actions and free radical-hunting activity. Many readily known compounds are separated from leaves and berries of allspice, with antioxidant properties, such as Eugenol, Quercetin, Gallic acid, and others.
If you are interested in learning other ingredients that you could use instead of allspice, we have a fully detailed article here.
04 – Treats Oral-Related Health Issues
Allspice has been used as folk medicine since the days of yore to treat a number of dental-related health conditions. The Eugenol content of this spice works as an excellent local anesthetic.
The antimicrobial property of this spice has also been linked with good gum and dental health. The essential oil of allspice is included in mouthwash and toothpaste thanks to its properties to soothe dental health issues.
And doctors suggest that your dental hygiene will obviously improve if you use an allspice gargle in your oral care routine on a daily basis.
05 – Aids Digestion And Gut-Related Health Issues
Allspice is a famous herbal medicine among Jamaicans and Cubans used to treat indigestion. The reason why this spice is utilized for treating indigestion might be due to the richness of the common polyphenol Eugenol in allspice, which is known to stimulate digestive enzymes.
This helps in relieving a number of stomach ailments like:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Excessive flatulence
- Gas
- Bloating
Moreover, it also helps control the overall digestive process with mitigation, especially when included in hardly-digested food like meat.
06 – It Boosts Metabolism And Keeps You Energetic
Allspice is a genuine powerhouse because of the many minerals it contains when it comes to sustaining metabolism.
For example, the Iron content of this spice plays a significant role in making new cells and red blood cell production in the bone marrow. And, at the same time, manganese aids in the composite of a primary antioxidant enzyme. Potassium functions to control heart rate, blood pressure, and the fusion of a number of fluids within the body.
The iron content in allspice also works as a great stimulant. It functions to disseminate and transmit oxygen to all the parts of the body. It will also help your brain to stimulate your energy levels.
In fact, an investigation has discovered that iron enhanced the training performance of women. And also, it supported them to exercise with a lower heart rate without getting exhausted quickly.
07 – Helps With Brain Function And Cognitive-Related Health Issues.
Allspice is jam-packed with Vitamin B9 (folate and Vitamin A. These vitamins help to boost and protect your brain functioning as you grow older. This spice also contains riboflavin that assists in alleviating exhaustion. In addition, the magnesium content will help in preventing cognitive deterioration and memory loss.
It is a generally known verity that inhaling essential oils and putting up with aromatherapy can help treat some mental-related health issues. Studies show that inhaling allspice essential oil can help decrease depression, mental stress, nervous exhaustion, anxiety, and tension.
In modern herbal medicine, allspice extract has been used for neuralgic discomfort. When added to massage oils and baths, allspice essential oil is known to stimulate circulation to relieve pain from muscle cramps and strains.
In addition, as stated earlier, it is used to treat headaches related to stress and depression. It also has the ability to help overcome fatigue, thanks to its calming aroma. Allspice blends well with lavender, ginger, and other spices, making it myriad when it comes to the preferences for aromatherapy.
08 – Contains Antibacterial And Anti-Fungal Properties.
Allspice helps to fight against bacteria and fungal infections in two ways. One, it has been found to destroy bacteria and deter fungal growth in food. This means cooking or preserving food with this spice could prevent you from falling ill from a number of diseases.
The next is, due to the high Eugenol content of this spice, it even has the capability to fight against bacteria and fungal infections that is already in your body.
Furthermore, the essential oil of allspice contains antibacterial properties that could combat Candida, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can be deadly bacterial diseases that affect human health.
09 – Contains Hypotensive Effect.
This spice is used as a folk remedy used for the therapy of high blood pressure, obesity, and digestion issue in Central America. In addition, it has also been beneficial for treating menstrual cramps and abdominal pain in Caribbean culture.
The studies further showed the effectiveness of hypotensive activity, which is indicated by decreased blood pressure levels. Additionally, it has also been documented that the allspice leaf extracts have a depressant effect on the central nervous system.
Moreover, analgesic and hypothermic results were also detected with no substantial changes in heart rate, body weight, and no other abnormalities.
Natural Plant Compound Table Of Allspice
As we discussed throughout the health benefits of this article, we mentioned about four essential natural plant compounds that include in allspice. These four plant compounds is the reason why you get these many advantages when allspice is consumed.
Observe this table below to identify those plant compounds, their properties, and in part of the plant, they are included.
| Chemical Name | Chemical Group | Plant Source | Biological Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugenol | Phenylpropene | Essential oil from berries | Antibacterial Antifungal Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Anti-proliferative Apoptosis |
| Gallic Acid | Phenolic acid | Berries | Anti-viral Anti-inflammatory Anti-cancer |
| Quercetin | Flavonoids | Berries | Anti-viral Anti-inflammatory Anti-cancer |
| Ericifolin | Phenolic | Berries | Antibacterial Anti-cancer |
Summing-Up
Allspice is a delectable spice with complex flavor and aroma profiles. It contains elements from cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, providing a number of health benefits.
The natural plant compounds – Eugenol, Gallic Acid, Quercetin, and Ericifolin, contain anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and cancer-fighting properties.
Dried allspice berries, leaves, and essential oil can give all these health benefits of allspice to you, making it an outstanding reason to have this spice included in your regular diet.
We know how you are willing to learn something more about allspice after knowing so much of its health benefits. Don’t worry, and we have an encyclopedic feature just one tap away from here!
