There is always a new “it” drink on the scene. Clove water is the latest health drink darling. Some claim it aids blood sugar. But these wonder drinks aren’t always the miracles they claim to be. That’s why we look at the science behind them to tell you the truth.
Clove water is made by leaving either soaking whole cloves overnight or gently boiling them to infuse the water with the oils and nutrients. It can be made easily and inexpensively at home. You add four or five cloves per 250 milliliters of water.
When looking at the health benefits of clove water, we can point out one that is highly practical at this time of year — it isn’t a pumpkin spice latte (PSL). If you crave a seasonal taste, clove water may scratch the same itch as the PSL without the high calorie, sugar and fat price tag.
Cloves are a wonderful source of eugenol, a powerful antioxidant that can aid blood flow. As the antioxidant has antibacterial properties, it can kill bacteria-causing acne, and its antiseptic nature can help wounds heal better.
Cloves have a long history of being used as a natural remedy for tooth pain. The eugenol is numbing and can act as a pain reliever. It can also act as a soothing agent for a sore throat. Plus, if you have a “tight chest,” it can be an excellent expectorant that eases phlegm.
Clove water may also aid bone health. Cloves have a high level of manganese that boosts bone density and fights osteoporosis.
But the claims that it can aid blood sugar health that are currently being made about it are overblown. There is minimal research to show that it helps lower blood sugar. One study from 2019 found that people, without or without blood sugar concerns, had lower blood sugar levels when they took 250 milligrams of clove extract daily for 30 days. But a glass of clove water does not contain 250 milligrams of clove extract. And that was the only study to show cloves had a significant impact on blood sugar levels.
“It’s definitely a stretch to say that chewing on a clove or drinking water that cloves had been in would give you the same benefits as some of the components that are in the cloves themselves,” said Julie Stefanski, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
During the season of pumpkin spice lattes, it’s great to have another tasty drink option. But it’s always important to remember how little of the oil you are actually getting in these drinks.
“Think of cloves as a flavorful bonus, not a magic fix,” said Grace Derocha, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
