Benefits of Eating 2 Cloves on an Empty Stomach Everyday

Starting your morning with two cloves on an empty stomach might sound unusual, but this simple practice has been transforming health outcomes for centuries. Cloves, the aromatic flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree native to Indonesia's Maluku Islands, are far more than just a kitchen spice—they're a powerful natural remedy backed by both traditional wisdom and modern science.

Cloves are known for their amazing healing benefits, and that's mainly due to eugenol, a natural compound that makes up about 70-90% of clove oil. This potent substance delivers antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant effects that can address multiple health concerns simultaneously. When consumed on an empty stomach, cloves work even more effectively, allowing your body to absorb their beneficial compounds without interference from other foods.

Understanding the Nutritional Power of Cloves

Cloves might be tiny, but they sure pack a nutritional punch! They’re loaded with manganese, which is super important for keeping your bones strong and your brain sharp. Plus, they give you a nice boost of fiber, vitamins C and K, calcium, and magnesium. What really makes cloves stand out, though, is their amazing antioxidant property. Studies have shown that cloves have the highest antioxidant activity compared to 25 other spices, with eugenol in them being five times stronger than vitamin E!

Powerful Digestive Health Benefits of Clove

When you chew two cloves on an empty stomach, one of the first systems to benefit is your digestive tract. Cloves stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, which enhances your body's ability to break down food and absorb nutrients efficiently. This enzymatic activation helps prevent common digestive problems, including indigestion, bloating, gas, and constipation.

The eugenol in cloves doesn't just improve digestion—it actively combats harmful bacteria in your gastrointestinal system while promoting a healthy gut flora balance. This antibacterial property is particularly valuable for managing symptoms related to gastrointestinal infections and diseases. For those suffering from inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the anti-inflammatory properties of cloves help reduce digestive system inflammation, providing much-needed relief.

Exceptional Antioxidant Protection

Free radicals—unstable molecules that damage cells and contribute to aging and disease—are constantly attacking your body. Cloves provide exceptional defense through their powerful antioxidant arsenal, which includes eugenol, flavonoids, and vitamin C.

The antioxidant activity of clove extracts has been shown to be comparable to or even superior to synthetic antioxidants like BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), making them an excellent natural alternative.

Regular consumption of cloves doesn't just protect your physical health—it also promotes better brain function. By preventing the deterioration of brain cells and reducing neuroinflammation, cloves can improve memory and cognitive performance. Research has demonstrated that eugenol offers neuroprotective effects, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Clove For Dental and Oral Health Support

Cloves have been used in dental care for centuries, and for good reason. The eugenol content acts as a natural anesthetic, providing rapid relief from toothaches and gum pain by blocking pain signals. This is why clove oil remains a common ingredient in dental products and temporary fillings.

Beyond pain relief, cloves offer comprehensive oral health benefits. Their potent antiseptic and antibacterial properties help combat oral bacteria, particularly Streptococcus mutans, the primary bacteria responsible for tooth decay and cavities. By preventing the growth of these harmful microorganisms, cloves reduce the risk of dental plaque formation, periodontal diseases, and gum infections.

Potent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cloves

Chronic inflammation is at the root of many serious health conditions, including arthritis, heart disease, and certain cancers. Cloves are highly regarded for their ability to combat inflammation throughout the body, thanks largely to eugenol.

This compound works by inhibiting the enzymes that trigger inflammatory responses in the body, providing relief from pain and swelling associated with chronic inflammatory diseases. Studies have shown that eugenol's effectiveness is comparable to some over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, but with fewer side effects.

For arthritis sufferers, regular clove consumption can help reduce joint pain and improve mobility. Even skin health improves when used in the form of clove oil and clove face mask, as cloves reduce inflammation associated with acne, rashes, and other skin conditions.

Blood Sugar Regulation and Metabolic Support

If someone is dealing with diabetes or might be at risk, cloves can really help out their metabolism. Research has consistently shown that compounds in cloves help regulate blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity and improving the function of insulin-producing cells.

The compounds in cloves, particularly nigricin, increase the uptake of sugar from the blood into cells, helping maintain steady glucose levels. This blood sugar-regulating effect also helps reduce cravings and prevent overeating, supporting weight management efforts.

Beyond blood sugar control, cloves positively impact cholesterol levels. Regular consumption has been linked to reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol and increased HDL (good) cholesterol, changes that are beneficial for heart health and help prevent conditions linked to metabolic syndrome. Studies show that consuming just 1 gram of cloves can lead to improvements in blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

Liver Protection and Detoxification

Our liver works tirelessly to detoxify your body, and cloves offer remarkable hepatoprotective effects to support this vital organ. The bioactive compounds in cloves, particularly eugenol and thymol, help safeguard liver cells from damage while supporting the formation of new, healthy cells.​

Research has demonstrated that clove extracts can prevent liver toxicity induced by various harmful substances, including alcohol and environmental toxins. Studies show that clove supplementation significantly decreases liver enzyme markers (AST, ALT, and ALP) that indicate liver damage, while increasing levels of total plasma protein and albumin—signs of improved liver function.

Cloves also improve liver health by supporting detoxification processes, reducing oxidative stress in the liver, and preventing lipid accumulation that can lead to fatty liver disease. The antioxidants in cloves enhance the liver's antioxidant status, preventing DNA damage and protecting against liver cirrhosis.

May Improve Respiratory Health

When seasonal colds, coughs, or respiratory infections strike, cloves can provide significant relief. Their expectorant properties help thin and expel mucus, making breathing easier and reducing phlegmy coughs.

Cloves are great for easing inflammation in the airways, which can make you cough and feel uncomfortable when you breathe. Inhaling steam from cloves simmered in water can open up congested nasal passages and relieve blockage.

Skin Health and Beauty Benefits of Cloves

The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of cloves make them excellent for skin health. If you struggle with acne, cloves can help fight the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria that cause breakouts and also calm down the redness and swelling that come with active acne lesions.

Research published in JAMA Dermatology demonstrated that clove essential oil exerted significant antibacterial activity against acne-causing bacteria, with the mode of action associated with damage to bacterial cell walls and membranes. The study also found that specific proteins related to acne virulence factors disappeared after clove treatment, providing a scientific basis for using clove oil as a therapeutic agent for acne.

Clove oil has eugenol, which helps tighten blood vessels a bit, so it can help reduce the redness of marks left by healing acne. Plus, cloves are packed with antioxidants that shield your skin from stresses like pollution and UV rays. This helps keep your skin looking young and fresh by fighting off those pesky free radicals that can cause premature aging.

Bone Health and Osteoporosis Prevention

Bone health is often neglected until issues emerge, but cloves can be beneficial for prevention. Research on animals indicates that eugenol, a compound found in cloves, may enhance bone mass and density. Additionally, cloves are especially high in manganese, a mineral crucial for bone formation and overall bone health.

According to research, people with osteoporosis frequently have low serum manganese levels. In a two-year, randomized, controlled study, it was discovered that a supplement that included manganese, copper, and zinc, along with calcium, prevented spinal bone loss more effectively than calcium alone. Cloves' manganese content makes them a valuable addition to a diet that promotes bone health, but more human research is required.

Clove for Mental Clarity and Stress Reduction

Cloves have major psychological and emotional advantages in addition to their physical health benefits. Clove essential oil's energizing aroma boosts mental energy, increases attentiveness, and strengthens memory recall. Because of this, cloves are especially helpful for prolonged study sessions or tasks requiring sustained concentration.

Clove oil's calming qualities have a soothing impact on the nervous system, which makes it useful for lowering tension and anxiety. Its relaxing effects can ease tension in the mind and encourage calmness. According to tradition, burning clove incense during spiritual exercises or meditation purifies the area, drives away bad energy, and creates a positive atmosphere.

How to Consume Cloves on an Empty Stomach

The most straightforward method is to chew two whole cloves first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything else. Place the cloves in your mouth, allow your saliva to moisten and soften them, then gently crush them with your teeth to release their beneficial oils. Hold the crushed cloves in your mouth for several minutes to allow the compounds to be absorbed through your oral mucosa, then either swallow or spit them out.

If you find the taste too strong initially, you can start with one clove and gradually increase to two as you become accustomed to the flavor. Alternatively, you can soak two cloves in water overnight and drink the infused water in the morning on an empty stomach.

Another popular method is clove tea. Boil a cup of water and add 1-2 whole cloves. Let it steep for 5-10 minutes until the water takes on a rich color and aroma. You can enhance the flavor and health benefits by adding a slice of ginger, a cinnamon stick, honey, or lemon. Drink this warm tea first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

For those who prefer supplements, clove is available in capsule form, often combined with other digestive herbs. However, whole cloves or freshly brewed clove tea typically provide the most bioavailable benefits.

Important Safety Considerations and Precautions

While cloves offer numerous health benefits, it's crucial to understand proper dosage and potential risks. The World Health Organization has established the daily acceptable quantity of clove as 2.5 mg per kg of body weight. For most adults, consuming 1-3 grams of cloves daily (approximately 2-3 whole cloves) is considered safe and therapeutic.

Excessive consumption of cloves or clove oil can lead to serious side effects. Eugenol, while beneficial in appropriate amounts, is toxic in high concentrations and can cause liver damage, especially in children. Clove oil should never be given to children under 2 years of age, as even small amounts (5-10 ml) have caused life-threatening conditions, including seizures, liver damage, coma, acidosis, and fluid imbalances.

Cloves contain compounds that slow blood clotting, which can be problematic for individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant medications like warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel. If you're scheduled for surgery, discontinue clove consumption at least two weeks beforehand to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.

For people with diabetes taking medication, cloves' blood sugar-lowering effects could potentially cause hypoglycemia when combined with glucose-lowering drugs. Monitor your blood sugar levels closely and consult your healthcare provider before adding medicinal amounts of cloves to your routine.

Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to cloves, manifesting as skin rashes, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, or digestive upset. Always perform a patch test before applying clove oil topically, and start with small amounts when consuming cloves orally to assess your tolerance.

Undiluted clove oil applied to skin or mucous membranes can cause severe irritation, burning, or even tissue damage. Always dilute clove oil with a carrier oil (like coconut or olive oil) before topical application, and never use it in or around the eyes, ears, or nose.

Conclusion

Including two cloves in your morning routine on an empty stomach is a straightforward yet effective habit that can have a significant positive impact on your health. Cloves provide a holistic approach to wellness supported by both traditional knowledge and modern scientific research, ranging from enhancing digestion and controlling blood sugar to shielding your liver, boosting your immune system, and promoting dental health.