Despite their small size, nutmeg seeds are a significant source of plant chemicals that serve as antioxidants in your body. Antioxidants are substances that guard your cells against oxidative stress brought on by free radicals. These compounds are unstable and reactive because they contain an unpaired electron. Oxidative stress happens when your body's free radical levels are too high. It's linked to the development and progression of a number of chronic illnesses, including certain cancers, heart disorders, and neurological diseases. Free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants, avoiding cellular damage and maintaining healthy free radical levels.

Plant pigments like cyanidins, essential oils like phenylpropanoids and terpenes, and phenolic components like protocatechuic, ferulic, and caffeic acids are just a few of the antioxidants found in nutmeg. According to one animal experiment, ingesting nutmeg extract helped protect cells in rats given the medicine isoproterenol, which is known to cause severe oxidative stress. The therapy caused severe tissue damage and cell death in the rats that did not get the nutmeg extract. Rats were given nutmeg extract, however, did not experience these results.

Numerous harmful medical problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, are associated with chronic inflammation. Monoterpenes, which include sabinene, terpineol, and pinene, are anti-inflammatory substances that are abundant in nutmeg. These could aid people with inflammatory diseases by reducing inflammation in their bodies. Additionally, a variety of the spice's antioxidants, including cyanidins and phenolic compounds, have potent anti-inflammatory activities.

In one experiment, rats were treated with a substance that causes inflammation before receiving nutmeg oil. The oil significantly reduced joint swelling, discomfort associated with inflammation, and inflammation itself in rats. By blocking the enzymes that cause inflammation, nutmeg is considered to lessen it. To further understand its anti-inflammatory properties in people, more research is nonetheless required.

Nutmeg may improve sexual desire and performance, according to certain research conducted on animals. Compared to a control group, male rats given large dosages of nutmeg extract (227 mg per pound or 500 mg per kilogram of body weight) had much more sexual activity and longer periods of sexual performance. According to a related study, male mice who received the same high dose of nutmeg extract had much higher levels of sexual activity than mice in the control group.

The specific mechanism through which the spice raises libido is yet unknown to scientists. Some hypothesize that these effects result from its capacity to activate the neurological system and from the abundance of potent plant chemicals in it. Nutmeg is used to treat sexual issues in conventional medicine, including the Unani school of medicine used in South Asia. There is, however, a dearth of studies on its impact on human sexual health.

It has been demonstrated that nutmeg possesses antibacterial properties against bacterial types that might be dangerous. Gum disease and dental caries can be brought on by bacteria like Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Nutmeg extract displayed potent antibacterial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis and other germs, according to a test-tube investigation. It is well known that these bacteria cause gum irritation and cavities.

Additionally, hazardous forms of E. coli bacteria, including O157, which may result in serious disease and even death in humans, have been shown to be inhibited by nutmeg. Although it is obvious that nutmeg has antibacterial qualities, additional research on people is required to ascertain whether or not it may treat bacterial infections or prevent oral health problems caused by bacteria in humans.

Although research is limited, studies suggest that nutmeg may have the following effects:

• May benefit heart health: Although there is a dearth of human data, studies on animals reveal that consuming high-dose nutmeg supplements lowered heart disease risk factors like high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels.

• Could boost mood: Studies on rodents revealed that nutmeg extract significantly reduced depressive symptoms in both mice and rats. To find out if nutmeg extract has the same impact on people, research is required.

• May improve blood sugar control: A study in rats showed that treatment with high-dose nutmeg extract significantly reduced blood sugar levels and enhanced pancreatic function.

However, utilizing large dosages of nutmeg extract, only animal testing has been done on these health consequences. Studies on people are required to establish the safety and efficacy of high-dose supplementation of the spice.