Nutritional Profile

Nutmeg provides 525 calories per 100gm; 0.2g of fat, 0.9g of protein, 175mg of potassium, 3mg of sodium and 4.6g of carbohydrate.

Interesting facts

· Nutmeg is a spice from the evergreen nutmeg tree, which is native to the rain forest Indonesian Moluccas Island, also known as the Spice Islands.

· Both, nutmeg and mace come from the same plant. Nutmeg is the nut, while mace is the surrounding lacy aril.

· Nutmeg has a warm, spicy aroma and flavour and can be used in sweet and savoury cooking. It is a component of the classic béchamel sauce and is used to flavour a host of cakes, puddings and custards.

· Fragrant rich nutmeg is one of the highly prized spices known since antiquity for its aromatic, aphrodisiac, and curative properties.

Health facts

· Nutmeg contains many plant-derived chemical compounds that are known to have been anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.

· The active principles in nutmeg have many therapeutic applications in many traditional medicines as anti-fungal, anti-depressant, digestive and carminative functions.

· This prized spice is a good source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc and magnesium.

· It is also rich in many vital B-complex vitàmins, including vitàmin C, folic acid, riboflavin, niàcin, vitàmin A and many flavonoid anti-oxidants like beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin that are essential for optimum health.

Study

Components of nutmeg’s essential oil, myristicin and macelignan have been proven to reduce the degradation of neural pathways and cognitive function that commonly afflicts people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that they slow those effects and keep your brain functioning at a normal, healthy level.