Vava Vanilla
Yes,Vanilla has the flavor and the smell that are to die for but did you know there are actually health benefits to it?!
Helps with nausea. A number one benefit of vanilla
extract is that it can be used to help calm the stomach when you are
feeling nauseous. You simply add a few drops of the extract to a glass
of water and sip slowly on it. The combination of the scent and the slow
sipping of the extract should help to reduce the feeling of nausea.
Reduces anxiety and stress. Studies have shown that
vanilla extract has a positive benefit on people who are dealing with
stress and anxiety. The scent helps with this.
Regulates menstruation. Women with irregular periods may use vanilla extract to help regulate their cycles.
Increased libido. Since ancient times, vanilla has been
regarded an aphrodisiac. However, ongoing aromatherapy studies suggest
that vanilla may increase sexual desire by boosting testosterone levels
in men. A 1970s study also claimed that majority of its participants
believed that vanilla had cured their impotency. While there is no
concrete evidence to prove this, experts believe that the aroma of
vanilla does induce feelings of pleasure and satiation.
Lower Calorie Sweetener. Pure vanilla bean extract isn’t very sweet, especially compared to
artificial and refined sugars, but its unique flavor can enhance the
taste of baked goods, smoothies and coffee and reduce the need for
additional sweeteners. As such, vanilla extract can be considered a
lower calorie sugar substitute.
Source of Some Vitamins and Minerals.Vanilla bean extract is not super nutritious, but it’s a source of
small quantities of vitamins and minerals. For example, the natural
extract contains many B vitamins such as B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5 and B-6. B
vitamins are important for metabolism and energy production, as well as
the synthesis of enzymes. Real vanilla bean extract also contains many
minerals in trace amounts such as calcium, magnesium, potassium,
manganese, iron and zinc.
Mild Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory.The main active compound in vanilla extract is vanillin, which
accounts for most of its flavor, but it also acts as a mild antioxidant
capable of eliminating harmful free radicals. Other compounds in pure
vanilla extract that display mild antioxidant or anti-inflammatory
properties include eugenol, caproic acid, phenol ether, carbonyl
compounds, esters, lactones and vitispiranes. Natural vanilla extract
may also have some ability to combat bacterial and fungal infections, research is ongoing for this claim though.
