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Top 5 Benefits Of The Vanilla Bean

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Call me boring, but one of my favorite flavors is vanilla. I just love it in everything, from ice-cream, to frosting, to yogurt. Whenever I bake with vanilla essence, I always put about double what the recipe calls for. I just love the taste so much!

But it isn’t just about the delicious taste and scent of vanilla. We all know that vanilla comes from vanilla beans. But did you know that vanilla beans can also be good for your health? That’s right; this yummy flavor isn’t just enhancing your food; it’s also helping to keep you healthy!

What Are Vanilla Beans? Where Do Vanilla Beans Come From?

Road in madagascar with big trees.

Vanilla comes from Madagascar.

The word vanilla is derived from the Spanish word ‘vanilla’ meaning a little pod. While there are 3 main kinds of vanilla, the one you’re most likely to use will be Bourbon Vanilla, also known as Madagascar Vanilla. That’s because most of the world’s vanilla comes from Madagascar.

Vanilla beans are the pods of the vanilla plant. The plant is native to the Americas, particularly Mexico. By now, though, it’s so popular that you’ve probably come across it in any other country or continent. Vanilla is one of the most labor-intensive, and hence, costly, spices to cultivate. This is probably the reason that imitation vanilla extract began to gain popularity (though I never touch the stuff if I can help it!). The chemical compound name for vanilla is ‘vanillin’.

Top 5 Vanilla Bean Benefits For Health Explained 

1. Anti-Inflammatory

Vanillin has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. This is extremely important, because inflammation is one of the main factors that lead to illnesses and diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and liver disease. 

Vanilla has been used to reduce inflammation in the liver, particularly, as well as in the joints of people suffering from arthritis. If you have arthritis or stiff joints/muscles, warm some vanilla absolute oil together with a carrier oil like almond or coconut oil. Massage the warm oil mixture into the inflamed areas, for natural and effective relief.

2. Antioxidant

Girl looking at herself in the mirror.

Vanilla for good skin.

Another main cause of serious diseases is free radical damage. Because vanilla has such powerful antioxidant properties, it’s being studied for its anti-cancerous benefits. 

Also, free radicals can cause damage to your skin, in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, and other aging symptoms. Therefore, vanilla works well as a natural anti-aging product.

To use vanilla for better skin, mix some vanilla oil into your skincare cream or lotion. You should notice improved skin tone, as well as reduced wrinkles and fine lines.

3. Anti-Depressant

Vanilla flowers.

Smelling vanilla can help with stress and depression.

Thankfully, as we start to understand the world we live in better than we ever have, awareness of mental health disorders has never been more prevalent. Depression is, unfortunately, all too common, and someone with mental illness definitely requires the help of a licensed professional.

Still, there are some things they can do at home to help themselves, as well. One such tactic is to use vanilla to reduce depressive symptoms. Diffusing is helpful, because it relieves neurological stress.

Even if you don’t suffer from depression, we all have our bad days. Relaxing in a hot bath with the aroma of vanilla around you can help ease your mind and body after a long, hard day.

4. Anti-Bacterial

Besides its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, vanilla has also shown itself to have anti-bacterial properties. This means that it can protect your body from nasties like bacteria, yeast, and mold. It can also prevent the spread of infection, which can help cuts or blemishes heal faster.

5. Lowers Cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol, then you’ll know what the dangers are. Having high cholesterol puts a person at a much higher risk of developing heart disease, peripheral artery disease, or stroke. Therefore, it’s important to do everything in your power to try and lower your cholesterol levels, and this often starts with your diet.

In an interesting study, it was revealed that vanilla can actually help to lower cholesterol levels. However, it was in much higher amounts than you would normally ingest, so don’t count on it as your sole way of lowering your cholesterol.

Still, you certainly don’t need to worry about it raising your cholesterol, so that’s a plus! And if you do enjoy vanilla and take it regularly, it may just help you out in the long-run.

Vanilla Bean Latte DIY Recipe

Cups of coffee.

Vanilla latte recipe.

Seriously, it doesn’t get much better than a vanilla bean latte on a lazy Sunday morning. I love walking into a coffee shop and smelling the delicious aroma of brewing coffee – but if it’s mingling with the smell of vanilla, it’s like walking into a patch of heaven. 

Well, now you can recreate that delicious scent from your own home while chilling on your couch in your pajamas. It really couldn’t be easier – and you don’t even need to own a coffee maker. 

Recipe adapted from geniuskitchen.com.

Ingredients

370 ml fat free or 2% fat milk

1 ¼ cups coffee (your favorite kind)

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 truffle – semi-sweet, white chocolate, or milk, whichever you prefer

Method

  1. In a saucepan, heat milk and coffee together until hot. 
  2. Stir in vanilla extract, then remove from stove.
  3. Place the truffle at the bottom of your mug. Pour the hot coffee over it, take out your favorite book, and enjoy! (The hot liquid will melt the chocolate, making for a delicious surprise at the end.)

Conclusion

Vanilla is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to improve your physical and mental health. Sometimes, it can be hard to make the food choices that you should. It’s not so easy to pass on the burger and fries and order a salad instead!

So it’s always good to discover something that’s typically used in ‘bad’ foods (think: ice cream, cookies etc), and find out that it’s got health benefits, too! 

Including vanilla in your diet, or taking advantage of its medicinal properties, is a pleasant way to help relieve pain, stress, and boost your overall health. Because it’s so delicious, it’s very easy to add into your regular life – which only ranks it higher in my book!