We all love the smell of vanilla, don't we? The sweet aroma of an ice cream, a piece of cake, or a custard makes our mouths water. But have you ever thought that vanilla has many health benefits that go beyond its sweet aroma? Today, we are going to talk about these surprising health benefits of that delicious, fragrant vanilla.
What exactly is vanilla?
Simply put, vanilla is a spice that comes from the pods of a vine. This vine belongs to the Orchid family. Surprisingly, vanilla is the only edible fruit/pod from this entire orchid family. These grow in tropical climates, attached to other trees.
Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world. That's because of the labor involved in producing it. Vanilla flowers are pollinated by hand. The pods that grow are then left to ripen, dry, and season for months to achieve the distinctive aroma and flavor we know.
Since real vanilla is expensive, there has been a push to produce artificial vanilla. These are made from guaiacol, a petroleum byproduct, or lignin, a wood byproduct. Most of the vanilla products we see in the market are artificial. Although they are cheaper, they do not provide the health benefits of real vanilla.
Let's know exactly the types of vanilla and their differences.
There are several types of vanilla on the market. Knowing the difference between them will be very useful to you.
| Vanilla type | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Vanilla Beans | This is real, natural vanilla. Dried, seasoned whole pods. Very expensive. The taste and aroma are the best. |
| Vanilla Extract | It is made by steeping real vanilla beans in a mixture of alcohol and water for weeks. By law, it must contain at least 35% alcohol. The quality is high. |
| Vanilla Essence | This is the artificial vanilla we were talking about. It is not made from real vanilla beans. It is made by adding a chemical called Synthetic Vanillin and other things. It is very cheap, but the taste and aroma are not as good as real vanilla. |
| Vanilla Paste and Syrup | Vanilla beans, vanilla extract, and sugar are combined to make a thick paste. It has a very strong flavor. Syrups are also made from this. |
| Vanilla "Essential Oil" | You can't make essential oil from real vanilla. However, the 'vanilla oil' available on the market is made by soaking vanilla beans in an oil such as almond oil. These are used in skin care products and diffusers. |
Most importantly, the chemical compound called vanillin gives vanilla its distinctive aroma and flavor. This is naturally present in real vanilla, but is added artificially to artificial essences.
What are the health benefits of vanilla?
Vanilla has been used traditionally for a variety of purposes. Now, scientists are also looking into this. Let's see what those benefits are.
1. It has a calming effect on the mind.
A study found that exposing newborns to the scent of vanilla during an injection reduced their anxiety and crying. This calming effect is also common in adults. Imagine the feeling of peace and relaxation you get when you come home from a busy day and light a vanilla candle. It is also believed that the scent of vanilla can provide some relief to those suffering from sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing stops frequently during sleep.
2. Helps reduce sugar consumption
Vanilla has fewer calories and carbohydrates than sugar, but it has a naturally sweet taste. So you can add a few drops of vanilla instead of sugar to your tea, coffee, or oatmeal. This will help you reduce the amount of sugar you add to your body throughout the day without even realizing it.
3. A little temporary relief from toothache
This is a simple home remedy. Due to the alcohol in real vanilla extract, applying a small amount of it to the area of your toothache with a cotton ball can temporarily numb the area and reduce the pain a bit. However, this is not a permanent solution . If you have a toothache, you should definitely see a doctor .
4. Antioxidant Properties
There is something called oxidative stress that damages cells in our bodies and leads to various diseases (such as cancer and heart disease). Laboratory studies have shown that a compound called vanillin, found in vanilla, can protect brain cells from this oxidative stress. However, these are not yet human studies, so it is too early to say whether these results will be the same in humans.
5. Possible impact on mental health
This is also something that comes from research done mostly on animals. Vanillin has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in rats. Just smelling vanillin reduced the rats' symptoms of depression and increased levels of serotonin and dopamine, chemicals in the brain that promote happiness and good mood.
In another study, vanillin worked better than the antidepressant fluoxetine , but at a much higher dose than people usually take.
Very important: This is still in the research stage. So never consider using vanilla as a treatment for a mental health problem. If you are experiencing mental health issues, please consult a qualified doctor or psychiatrist .
Let's also look at the nutritional benefits of vanilla.
Real vanilla extract contains very small amounts of several minerals that our body needs.
Here is what a teaspoon (about 4.2 grams) of vanilla extract, which we typically use for a cake, contains:
- Calories: 12
- Protein: 3 milligrams
- Fat: 3 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 531 milligrams
- Sugar: 531 milligrams
But keep this in mind: Artificial vanilla essences do not have this nutritional value. Also, some real and artificial vanilla products may have added sugar. Therefore, it is very important to read the label on the bottle.
Take-Home Message
- Vanilla is not just a flavoring and aroma enhancer. It has several health benefits beyond that.
- There is evidence that the scent of vanilla has calming properties. It also has antioxidant properties.
- Most studies on the effects on mental health and obesity are still conducted on animals. More research is needed to confirm whether the same results apply to humans.
- If you are looking for health benefits, choose natural vanilla extract over imitation vanilla essence, even if it is more expensive.
- Vanilla is not a medicine or a cure for any disease. It is only a supplement that can be added to a healthy lifestyle. Always consult your doctor for any health concerns.
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