Vanilla: its benefits, harms and most important uses

Vanilla or vanilla is one of the most used flavors, due to its distinctive taste, as it is added to many dishes, for this reason in today’s article we decided to address everything related to it in terms of its benefits, harms, and different types, so be sure to follow us.

What is vanilla?

It is a flavor that is extracted from some types of flowers, and its extract and grains are usually used to add flavor or aroma to foods, perfumes, and some types of medicines. Vanilla is considered one of the most expensive flavorings.

What is the source of the vanilla?

Vanilla is extracted from the buds and pods of vanilla flowers, mostly from the flower buds of Vanilla planifolia, and Madagascar is the most productive of it, as it produces approximately 75% of the vanilla stock.

The nutritional value of vanilla

Vanilla extract is considered one of the materials that is very rich in nutrients, as a small amount of it equivalent to one teaspoon contains:

  • An amount of protein equivalent to 3 mg.
  • An amount of carbohydrates equivalent to 531 mg.
  • An amount of sugar equivalent to 531 mg.
  • 3 mg of fat.

This is in addition to its extract containing some minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.

Types of vanilla

It is divided according to the flowers from which it was extracted, and it can also vary according to its origin and the country of manufacture. The best kind of vanilla It is natural vanilla that does not contain any industrial compounds, and it can also be available in several forms, including:

  • liquid vanilla.
  • powdered vanilla.
  • vanilla seeds.
  • vanilla tea.
  • vanilla extract.

The difference between liquid and powdered vanilla

A liquid vanilla is made by soaking the vanilla seeds in glucose syrup (and it is sometimes done in Western countries by soaking them in water and ethyl alcohol), while a pure powdered vanilla is made by drying and grinding the seeds, and sugar may be added to this type of vanilla, and it may be Powder preparation is also from industrial flavors.

The benefits of vanilla

The benefits of vanilla are not limited to its distinctive flavor and aroma, but rather it has a number of important and beneficial benefits and uses, which may be:

It has a calming effect

Some studies have shown that it can help calm newborns and those born prematurely, and it also helps reduce crying spells in children when inhaled, and it can also help calm adults and improve their mood, by reducing strong reactions and helping to Sleep and get rid of sleep apnea.

Relieve toothache

Its extract can help relieve the pain caused by the teeth, but the antioxidants in it can help you recover quickly, as you can use it by placing a very small amount, i.e. a few points, on a piece of cotton and placing it on the area that causes you pain inside the mouth.

Helps reduce sugar intake

Because it contains fewer calories, and it contains fewer carbohydrates than sugar, this point can be exploited by eating an amount of it as a substitute for sugar, and thus the amount of sugar that is eaten is reduced.

It also helps to reduce blood sugar, and it can also help in obtaining a healthy heart and a healthy life, because it is replaced by sugar, which causes a lot of damage.

Contains vanillin

It contains vanillin, which has a number of advantages, which are:

  • It contains properties similar to those of antioxidants.
  • It has anti-cancer properties.
  • It has properties that help fight inflammation and infection.
  • It can help protect against neurological problems, and it can help protect the brain.

Despite these studies, which confirm these benefits, these studies have not been conducted on humans, so their effect is not clear, and they have been conducted in large quantities, which are quantities that are not used in the normal rate.

Help protect cells from damage

It contains some antioxidants, which play a role in protecting the cells in the body from damage. Some antioxidants also protect brain cells from oxidation and may even help protect the liver from oxidation caused by aging.

Help protect against infections

Eating foods rich in anti-inflammatory can help improve health and protect against infections, and this is what vanilla can do, because it contains antioxidants, as it helps protect the body from hepatitis and skin infections.

Helps improve brain health

Some of the substances in it can help improve the health of the brain and nerves, which means that it has the ability to maintain the health of the nervous system and protect the nerves from infections, and may even have a role in protecting against Alzheimer’s disease.

Helps improve heart health

The vanillin in it can help protect against heart disease by reducing and lowering cholesterol levels in the body, which means protection against arterial infections, atherosclerosis, and protection against clots.

Reduce the appearance of acne

The antibacterial properties in it can help get rid of pimples and infection, thus improving skin health and can even help reduce acne scars.

Benefits of vanilla for weight loss

Some studies indicated the possibility of its ability to improve the weight loss process, because it may help suppress appetite, because its extract can improve the metabolism process, and this helps in losing weight in general.

Help improve digestion

It can help improve digestion, as its aroma helps relieve vomiting, and vanilla tea helps relieve intestinal infections, and it can also help relieve duck cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

Helps reduce breathing problems

Its extract can help relieve some conditions such as coughs and colds, due to the antioxidants present in it, as the extract works to coat the throat, which acts as a local anesthetic for the inflammation in the throat, and the antibacterial agents present in it can help reduce the infection causing it. for these cases.

Help protect against depression

In a study carried out, research showed that the vanillin compound present in it has antidepressant properties, and these properties are similar to many antidepressant drugs.

Benefits of vanilla for women

It is known that vanilla is used in the manufacture of many cosmetic products, because it helps in:

  • Improve hair and skin.
  • Helps protect against hair damage.
  • Helps treat hair damage.
  • Helps increase blood supply to the scalp.
  • Helps increase hair length.

Attention: Despite the many benefits that we mentioned, most of these experiments were conducted on animals, and this means that their effect on humans is still uncertain and that more studies are needed to confirm this effectiveness and its impact on humans, so do not use it in large quantities or for purposes that are only known After consulting a doctor.

Vanilla damage

Although it is one of the flavors that may not cause any harm, and its use is considered completely safe, it is possible that some people who eat it may be allergic, and artificial vanilla can cause various sleep problems and headaches.

Vanilla uses

It can be used in a number of things, in addition to the medical benefits that we mentioned, it is used in making many recipes, which include bread, cake, cookies, and baked goods. It can also be used in the following:

  • Can be added to smoothies.
  • It can be added to coffee.
  • They can be added to ice cream.
  • It can be added to pancakes.

vanilla substitute

The vanilla flavor can be replaced with several other flavors that add a wonderful aroma and taste, such as:

  • Orange peel peel.
  • Grate the zest of green and yellow lemons.
  • Grapefruit peel grated.
  • Almond extract.
  • Coffee or Nescafe.
  • Honey.
  • Maple syrup.

And now, at the end, after you have learned about the benefits and harms of vanilla, and the most important types and uses, we remind you to use it in moderation and not to use it for any therapeutic or medical purposes except after consulting a doctor, with our wishes for continued health and wellness.

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