Health Benefits Of Vanilla

You may have often hogged on vanilla ice creams and vanilla pastries without even considering for once its numerous health advantages. Purely known for its flavoring properties, vanilla is widely used in baking, perfumes and therapeutic aroma massages. The word ‘vanilla’ comes from the Spanish word ‘vainilla’, which means little sheath, referring to the pod's long thin shape. Vanilla is the fruit of a thick green orchid vine, planifolia that grows wild. Acknowledged as the second most expensive spice in the world, due to the extensive labor required to grow the seed pods, the use of vanilla was once reserved to royalty alone because of its rarity and pricey nature. Vanilla was used in the ancient times by Aztecs to flavor their chocolates. Today, however, the benefits of vanilla seem to extend themselves a little more than just satiating our taste buds. To know more about the nutritional value and health benefits of vanilla, read on.

Nutritional Value Of Vanilla

Amount of Vanilla: 1 cup

Total Weight of Vanilla: 208g

Nutrients	Amount
Basic Components
Protein	0.1 g
Water	109 g
Ash	0.5 g
Calories
Total Calories	599
Calories From Carbohydrate	102
Calories From Fat	1.0
Calories From Protein	0.3
Carbohydrates
Total Carbohydrate	26.3 g
Sugars	26.3 g
Fats & Fatty Acids
Total Fat	0.1 g
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids	2.1mg
Total Omega-6 Fatty Acids	6.2 mg
Vitamins
Niacin	0.9 mg
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg
Pantothenic Acid	0.1 mg
Minerals
Calcium	22.9 mg
Iron	0.2 mg
Magnesium	25.0 mg
Phosphorus	12.5 mg
Potassium	308 mg
Zinc	0.2 mg
Copper	0.1 mg
Manganese	0.5 mg

Nutrition & Health Benefits of Eating Vanilla

Vanilla does not just add flavor to your favorite recipe, but comes packed with goodness too. Vanilla is known to be a great anti-oxidant that helps to avert numerous health complications. Oxidizers or free-radicals burn the living cells that weaken the immunity system, making the body vulnerable to numerous diseases. The anti-oxidant property of vanilla contravenes these free radicals and defends the body from infections, wears and tears and cancer.
Vanilla is believed to be a great aphrodisiac. Vanilla oil is used to treat impotence, erectile dysfunction, frigidity, loss of libido and other sexual disorders. Vanilla oil is known to be a great stimulant that helps in secretion of sex hormones like testosterone, estrogen etc and promotes arousal. Vanilla intake gives a boost to the dormant sex life of an individual.
Did you know that this great flavoring agent is actually anti-carcinogenic? Studies have revealed that vanilla’s anti-oxidant properties helps to battle against certain types of cancers. Since free radicals tend to damage tissues that triggers cancers like prostrate, colon etc., the anti-oxidant properties in vanilla checks growth of cancerous cells, thereby helping cure cancer.
Vanilla is extremely useful in fighting infections due to presence of components like Eugenol and Vanillin Hydroxybenzaldehyde in it. Because of it sedative properties, it is known to work against inflammation.
Vanilla is used to soothe hyperactivity, and other health disorders like the respiratory problem, circulatory and digestive disorders, nervous problems and more. Because of its tranquilizing effects, it is used to treat fever, convulsions, anxiety, stress, hypersensitivity of allergy etc.
Vanilla is an anti-depressant as well. The sweet-smelling vanilla can work wonders to soothe your jittered nerves. Vanillin Hydroxybenzaldehyde, a component of vanilla essential oil, is an effective anti-depressant and mood up-lifter. So, next time you feel low, just go and grab vanilla ice cream and see your mood lit up!
Vanilla induces sleep. So, if you suffer from insomnia, hogging on vanilla ice cream may put you to sleep. It relaxes the nervous system and lowers blood pressure too. All you need to do is just dab some vanilla oil in your pillows and get snoring!
The soothing effect of vanilla has a great effect in soothing anxiety, anger and restlessness of a person.
Vanilla also helps to regularize menstruations by triggering certain hormones like estrogen.

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