Ambiguous spice: the benefits and harms of nutmeg

Nutmeg, along with many other spices, is widely used in cooking, medicine, and cosmetology. But this aromatic product also has little-known properties that manifest themselves when used incorrectly.

What is nutmeg

In fact, it is not a nut. But since the seed of the fragrant nutmeg visually resembles a nut kernel, it is called that way. Inside the kernel there is a red content that can be easily crushed. It resembles a net wrapping around a seed. The mesh is called mace and is also used in the food and cosmetics industries.

Benefit

Nutmeg contains

vitamin A – 5 mcg,
vitamin C – 3 mg,
vitamin B1 (thiamine) – 0.346 mg,
vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – 0.057 mg,
vitamin B3 (niacin) – 1.3 mg,
vitamin B6 – 0.2 mg,
vitamin B9 (folic acid) – 76 mcg.

In order to receive only benefits from its use, you should adhere to a measure - daily consumption of nutmeg in an amount of no more than 3 g is considered safe. For children, this amount should be halved. As a rule, nutmeg is used in food in acceptable grams, so after eating a dish with the addition of this spice, you will not encounter any troubles.

Nutmeg is rich in antioxidants, which means it has an anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, it can be used for sore throat. In folk medicine, this seasoning is still used to treat toothache and stomach pain.

Harm

Excessive consumption of nutmeg is not only undesirable, but dangerous. This is all because of the content of elemicin and myristicin in it - plant substances that can alter consciousness. Therefore, if you consume nutmeg in excess, hallucinations may occur.

The spice also contains safrole - this substance is toxic in large doses. It causes severe poisoning, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and increased nervous excitability.

Given these properties, you should not pay too close attention to the calorie content of nutmeg. Since this seasoning is used in cooking in small quantities, there is no point in calculating its negligible energy value.