6 Oval Mugs - Nutmeg

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One animal study showed that consuming nutmeg extract prevented cellular damage in rats treated with isoproterenol, a medication known to induce severe oxidative stress.

A similar study showed that giving male mice this same high dose of nutmeg extract significantly increased their sexual activity compared to a control group ( 14). It’s important to note that the toxic effects of this spice are linked to the ingestion of large amounts of nutmeg — not the small amounts typically used in the kitchen ( 24). Zhang WK, Tao SS, Li TT, et al. Nutmeg oil alleviates chronic inflammatory pain through inhibition of COX-2 expression and substance P release in vivo. Food Nutr Res. 2016;60:30849. DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v60.30849 To avoid these potentially harmful side effects, avoid consuming large amounts of nutmeg and do not use it as a recreational drug.Though nutmeg is unlikely to cause harm when consumed in small quantities, taking it in high doses may cause adverse side effects. Cases of nutmeg intoxication have been reported in people who have ingested 5 grams of nutmeg, which corresponds to about 0.5–0.9 mg of myristicin per pound (1–2 mg per kg) of body weight ( 24).

Zhang WK, Tao SS, Li TT, et al. Nutmeg oil alleviates chronic inflammatory pain through inhibition of COX-2 expression and substance P release in vivo. Food Nutr Res. 2016;60:30849. doi:10.3402/fnr.v60.30849 Chronic inflammation is linked to many adverse health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis ( 9). In fact, between 2001 and 2011, 32 cases of nutmeg toxicity were reported in the U.S. state of Illinois alone. A whopping 47% of these cases were related to deliberate ingestion by those using nutmeg for its psychoactive effects ( 22).Ehrenpreis JE, Deslauriers C, Lank P, Armstrong PK, Leikin JB. Nutmeg poisonings: a retrospective review of 10 years experience from the Illinois Poison Center, 2001-2011. J Med Toxicol. 2014;10(2):148-51. DOI: 10.1007/s13181-013-0379-7 Myristicin, the main component of the essential oil found in nutmeg that has powerful psychoactive properties, is thought to be responsible for these toxic effects ( 23). Smalheiser NR. A neglected link between the psychoactive effects of dietary ingredients and consciousness-altering drugs. Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:591. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00591

Nutmeg is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds called monoterpenes, including sabinene, terpineol, and pinene. These may help reduce inflammation in your body and benefit those with inflammatory conditions ( 1). Researchers still aren’t sure exactly how the spice enhances libido. Some surmise these effects are due to its ability to stimulate the nervous system, along with its high content of powerful plant compounds ( 13). Nutmeg toxicity can cause serious symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, nausea, disorientation, vomiting, and agitation. It may even lead to death when combined with other drugs ( 25, 26). Test-tube studies have also shown that nutmeg extract exhibits powerful antioxidant effects against free radicals ( 5, 6, 7, 8).Nutmeg contains an abundance of antioxidants, including plant pigments like cyanidins, essential oils, such as phenylpropanoids and terpenes, and phenolic compounds, including protocatechuic, ferulic, and caffeic acids ( 1). What’s more, the wide array of antioxidants found in the spice, such as cyanidins and phenolic compounds, also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties ( 1, 10). Antioxidants are compounds that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. These are molecules that have an unpaired electron, which makes them unstable and reactive ( 2). Interestingly, nutmeg is sometimes taken recreationally to induce hallucinations and cause a “high” feeling. It’s often mixed with other hallucinogenic drugs, which increases the risk of dangerous side effects ( 22). Morsy NF. A comparative study of nutmeg (Houtt.) oleoresins obtained by conventional and green extraction techniques. J Food Sci Technol. 2016;53(10):3770-3777. doi:10.1007/s13197-016-2363-0