The leaves are changing, and that can only mean one thing: it’s Pumpkin Spice season! Coffee, muffins, cakes, candy, and even candles have embraced the seasonal favorite, but is there more to the combination of spices than the extra-special flavor in our baked goods? You just might be surprised by some of the medical benefits of the famous pumpkin spice:
Allspice
- May benefit digestion and aid stomach cramps
- High in antioxidants
- Shown to neutralize free-radicals (which cause cell damage)
Cloves
- Numbing agent: Cloves produces a mild numbing effect, which explains why it’s
- included in some over-the-counter oral hygiene products
- Good source of manganese, vitamin K, dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, and calcium
Nutmeg
- Pain relief from a variety of injuries or conditions like arthritis
- Shown to maintain brain functioning
- Oral Health: antibacterial properties lead to nutmeg’s inclusion in various oral hygiene products
- Sleep aid: Often used as a home remedy for insomnia, stimulates the release of serotonin, which leaves you feeling relaxed or sedated
Ginger
- Relieves gastrointestinal stress
- Reduces nausea and vomiting
- Shown to have cancer-fighting properties
Cinnamon
- Shown to improve blood sugar management in Type 2 diabetes patients
- Anti-clotting properties
- Good source of manganese, fiber, and calcium
