Used widely in South America, Mexico and Caribbean dishes, Allspice (aka Jamaica pimenta, comes from the unripe, dried Pimenta dioicais fruit and) is seen as a wonderful, multi-purpose spice. It can be used in sweet and savoury dishes due to its pungent and fragrant smell. Allspice has also been noted to smell like cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Has this caught your nose yet? Well, then read on to discover the Top 5 Health Benefits of Allspice!
1. Immunity booster
There is a link between Allspice and our immune system; it’s been proven to have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties which help reduce the amount of Listeria and E. Coli in our meals. It also helps your immune system function against external bacterial attacks and increases the resistance of your cells towards those bacteria.
2. Supports blood circulation
Allspice contains significant levels of copper and iron, which are vital minerals needed for the creation of your red blood cells. It also acts as a stimulant, increasing blood flow around your body, providing you with a feeling of warmth. With this increased blood flow, you would also experience an increase in energy level.
3. Heart health
A teaspoon of Allspice contains around 19.8 mg of potassium, which is useful for the maintenance of a healthy heart. Potassium acts as a vasodilator, a term used to describe a release of tension on the cardiac muscles, therefore reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes and atherosclerosis.
4. Helps digestion
Allspice helps settle your stomach. This is due to a chemical called Eugenol, which helps reduce the signs of an upset stomach, nausea and bloating. This chemical can also help ease the symptoms of constipation, making this spice one of the best for your digestive tract.
5. Bone strength
Allspice contains a high quantity of manganese, a mineral which is needed for the maintenance of bone strength and growth. It also protects you against bone diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis and inflammation, which are seen as symptoms of manganese deficiency.
Allspice can be bought in a ground and dried berry form from stores such as Whole Foods, Planet Organic, Tesco, Amazon, eBay and many others. It can be used in a range of savoury and sweet dishes, such as stews, cookies and sprinkled into smoothies. Why not try your own chai latte mix as in the video above? Got a recipe or want to comment about Allspice? Tell us below or @KeepFitKingdom !
