Many culinary spices have a place in traditional medicine as curative agents. Nutmeg is a commonly eaten culinary spice that has been shown to possess some significant beneficial health effects. Nutritionally nutmeg is known to contain a number of physiologically important phytochemicals including linalool, terpineol, eugenol, myristicin, camphene, dipentene, and pinene. Some or all of these phytochemicals may possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which suggests that nutmeg may be able to treat inflammatory conditions. Animal studies suggest that nutmeg is a COX-2 inhibitor and this supports the role for nutmeg as a nutritionally relevant anti-inflammatory as the COX (cyclooxygenase) enzymes are pivotal in the inflammatory response. Therefore using nutmeg in cooking as part of a healthy diet, in moderation may provide the consumer with significant protection from a number of diseases characterised by inflammation including cardiovascular disease, obesity and arthritis.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
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