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You start your day with coffee; it excites your sleepy spirit. Of course, you’ll also start scrolling online to be updated on the latest news.
As you scroll online, you come across a video clip where someone advertises dropping a single dried clove into your coffee.
Well, a dried clove has been proven to have health benefits. But in that video clip you’ve seen, it promised something you didn’t hear in your lifetime:
- Healthy liver
- Less inflammation
- Normal blood sugar level
- Relieved tooth pain
I’ll admit, I was curious enough to try it. The next morning, I dropped one clove into my coffee. The kitchen smelled like the holidays, and the first sip was warm and a little spicy.
But a nice smell isn’t proof. So before believing everything that video promised, I looked into what science actually says.
Here are things you should know about the potential of a clove and why it’s great to add it to your morning coffee (whether it’s true):
Eugenol: Clove’s Strongest Compound
Meet the clove’s strongest compound: eugenol. Among the antioxidants that comprise cloves, eugenol is one of them.
Cloves come whole, ground, or as a concentrated oil.
Some claim that eugenol has health benefits, which has pushed more people to take it either as dried or ground cloves or as an oil.
One honest note before we go through the claims: no study has tested one clove in coffee. All the evidence below comes from clove oil, clove extracts, or animal studies.
These are some of the health benefit claims of eugenol and their proven information:
“Effective in Tooth Pain”
Fact: This is true. Eugenol in cloves is proven to relieve a toothache, especially when using clove oil.
However, the effect is temporary. The oil only works on the surface where it’s applied. That’s why some patients still need to go to a dentist for a checkup, especially when their tooth pain involves bleeding gums, swelling, or recurring pain.
“Effective on Inflammation and Germs”
Fact: The eugenol compound helps prevent bacteria from thriving. However, the potency is usually reported in laboratory studies.
Currently, there is only limited proof of eugenol’s anti-inflammatory and antifungal claims in humans.
“Protects Your Liver”
Fact: Medical experts don’t reach consensus on this claim. WebMD notes that eugenol may help reduce the signs of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, but that evidence comes from animal studies, not people. Healthline also states that studies about eugenol’s effects on humans are currently limited.
However, it’s best to remind ourselves that WebMD even said that babies are vulnerable to liver damage when given the compound.
So this claim doesn’t have a conclusive answer for now.
“Helps Heal Ulcer”
Fact: A study about rats given a low dose of eugenol can heal stomach ulcers. However, such an experiment was tested on rats only.
There is no further information on whether low-dose eugenol is that effective in healing stomach ulcers in humans.
However, it was clear that large doses of eugenol can have damaging effects on the liver or can trigger allergic reactions in humans.
“Balances Blood Sugar Level”
Fact: This is only partly supported. Healthline cites a 2019 study in which people with and without prediabetes took 250 mg of clove extract every day for 30 days, and their blood sugar after meals was significantly lower. But that was a concentrated extract, not one clove dropped into your coffee.
However, more studies in humans are required before it can be said as an absolute fact.
But take only one clove and use less sugar in your coffee. That could help a lot more for your body. It’s useless when you put a clove in, yet your coffee has much sugar.
“Cloves Contain the Best Antioxidant”
Fact: Cloves are an antioxidant-rich spice. It’s a great source of antioxidants.
However, it’s not yet determined whether the eugenol found in cloves could survive both stomach acid and hot water (from a coffee or tea).
Nonetheless, eugenol remains an effective antioxidant, undoubtedly.
Warning: Some Groups Need a Doctor Approval!
Right before someone takes the advice of putting a dried clove in their morning coffee, I must warn you.
This is not for everybody. Some of you need a doctor’s approval to determine its safety for your health condition.
Eugenol may be beneficial, but because of other people’s limited physical health conditions, it may affect its absorption.
Here are some people who require a doctor’s approval before taking cloves:
- Patients on blood thinners: Eugenols can interact with some blood thinners, including warfarin. The compound may increase the risk of bruising or bleeding. The same thing applies to patients who are also taking aspirin or warfarin-containing drugs.
- People with Upcoming Surgery: Stop using cloves in medicinal amounts at least 2 weeks before surgery.
- Diabetics: Cloves may lower blood sugar, so taking them with diabetes medicine could make your blood sugar drop too much.
- Pregnant Women: Cloves in food are fine, but there’s not enough safety data on larger amounts.
- Babies (under two years old): They are also off-limits to clove oil. It’s poisonous for them.
- People with Clotting Problems.
- Vulnerable People / Hypersensitive to Eugenol
Doing with Precaution: Don’t Forget These Tips
Before adding clove to your morning coffee, always remember the following:
- Never add clove oil to your morning coffee; take only one whole clove.
- One clove is plenty.
- If taking one dried clove, crush and mix it into the coffee powder or allow it to swim in your morning coffee for a few minutes.
- If you let a whole clove steep in your cup, take it out before you drink. It’s hard and woody.
- Prevent children or pets from reaching it, or it can cause serious risks.
- Discontinue when your stomach becomes upset.
Antioxidant in Your Coffee: Truth or just a Thought?
A clove in your morning coffee adds a warm, spicy kick. But is it a proven health hack? Not yet.
Despite eugenol’s potency, it must be taken with precaution. It’s not for everyone, despite the health benefits of eugenol.
It’s not magic or a miracle. No study has tested one clove in coffee; the promising results come from clove oil, extracts, and animal studies.
And one thing is clear about eugenol: more isn’t better. Large amounts can harm the liver, so stick to one clove a day.
So clove isn’t trending for nothing; it provides health benefits because it is rich in antioxidants.