Mace, a spice derived from the same plant as nutmeg, has somewhat nutmeg-like benefits. It is processed by removing the nutmeg seed’s outer covering and then drying it for 10-14 days. Apart from being considered a therapeutic ingredient in various traditional medical practices from across the world, mace is also traditionally used in baked goods, vegetables, meat, and is a key ingredient for providing a flavor that is mildly pungent and spicier, similar to the combination of cinnamon and pepper. Most of its benefits are due to its mineral-rich and fibrous nature, that enables it to be beneficial for your blood pressure. Mace is known to provide a helping hand for your digesting problems as well.
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Let’s look at some of the exceptional benefits of Mace:
1. Improves And Promotes Digestion
Fiber is an essential macro-nutrient that is readily available in mace. Healthy fiber consumption aids in the boosting of one’s metabolism, for it is harder to digest, thus making sure that your organs excrete enough amount of digestive fluids for ensuring proper and efficient digestion. Further, these macro-nutrients also add up to the bulk of the stool and ensure proper bowel movement.
Also Read: Best And Worst Foods For Digestion
2. Mace Promotes Sleep And Acts As A Stress Buster
If you are suffering from restlessness, then mace might be the perfect spice for your meal. It has a certain sedative effect, for its higher antioxidant level and magnesium content helps in the release of a certain neurotransmitter, which is responsible for relaxing the nerve cells and inducing sleep. This benefit makes mace a great spice for people suffering from insomnia.
3. Mace For Better Skin Texture
The antioxidants present in mace are responsible for lowering the free-radical count in the blood. We know that antioxidants tend to combine with the free oxygen atoms before they get a chance to attack healthy cells. This is also applied to your skin cells, for the antioxidants protect them from free-radical along with other external bacteria, hence reducing the risk of acne as well.
Also Read: How To Check Common Spices For Adulterants
4. Proper Circulation Of Oxygen
One of the essential minerals found in mace is Iron, which is also a mineral responsible for the production of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying blood cells. Thus, the consumption of mace and its rich iron content is directly linked with the volume of oxygen present in the blood, as it ensures proper circulation of a good quantity of oxygen for the efficient working of the organs.
5. Mace Is Good For Blood Pressure
The iron and magnesium content in mace has other benefits too. Iron and magnesium neutralize the effects of salt, which is responsible for contracting the blood vessels and increasing the pressure of the blood flow. By exerting a dilating force on the inner blood vessel walls, the consumption of mace can be helpful in the maintenance of one’s blood pressure.
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6. Has Anti-Fungal Property
Apart from being anti-bacterial, mace also has anti-fungal properties, a property that makes the essential oils present in mace a great remedy for yeast infections. This anti-fungal property further allows it to be a healthier spice option that can help in the strengthening of your immune system. In other words, mace, thanks to the anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, is great for your immune system, and its antioxidant constituents further complement this point.
7. Improves Bone Health
Apart from iron, mace is also quite beneficial when it comes to its calcium, an essential mineral that is also considered to be the building block for one’s bones and teeth. Hence, the consumption of this spice helps in the improvement of one’s bone structure, as it works on increasing their density and prevents bones from getting weakened or degraded.
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8. Great For Liver
Just like nutmeg, a compound called myrislignan is also found in mace. This compound can be quite helpful in soothing and relieving injuries that are present in the liver. Thus, it can be quite effective in tackling hepatic inflammation along with preventing free-radical damage of the liver (due to its antioxidant content).
9. Exceptionally Aromatic
Not only taste, but the addition of mace can further increase the aromatic essence of your dishes and give them a rather exotic feel. A spice such as mace can not only enhance the health and taste of the meal, but it can also help in providing it with a different appearance altogether.
Side-Effects Of Mace
Though mace has certain spiciness attached to its taste and could be used for adding just the right amount of heat to a bland meal, too much of it might not only cause significant damage to the overall flavor of the meal, but it will also have some adverse effects on your health. Let’s take a look at some of the side-effects that a heavy dose of mace can have on your health:
1. Irritation And Indigestion
The high fiber content of mace could effectively prove to be a great addition to your diet if you are hoping to achieve good metabolism and efficient weight loss. However, since fiber itself is a non-digestible part of the food, its heavy consumption can somehow increase the chances of indigestion and irritation, which could further lead to diarrhea and bloating.
Also Read: How To Use Garam Masala: Recipe & Benefits Of This Warm Blend Of Spices
2. Low Blood Pressure
Though the mineral content of mace can result in maintained blood pressure and help people who are suffering from any cardiovascular disorder, too much of it might just result in the further lowering of the blood pressure even below its desired level. Thus, you should always note the consumption of the ingredients.
That being said, it is also important that since mace is a flavoring spice, its addition to the meal must be limited, for it can easily disrupt the overall taste of the dish due to its pungent and spicy trait.
Versatility Of Mace
As a spice, mace is used as a flavoring agent in many cuisines from across the world, and the short-list of the kinds of delicacies that are made delicious by its addition include delicacies such as baked goods, pickles, and vegetable stews. Its savory characteristic makes it a great ingredient for Indian cuisines, and most of all, unlike other flavoring agents of the same nature, mace can be added to both sweet and savory dishes.