Vanilla is a great spice with versatile uses in cooking and cosmetics. This post reveals less-known potential uses and health effects of vanilla, along with safety precautions.<\/p>\n
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Vanilla is an extract from the vanilla bean. It has many culinary and cosmetic uses. However, vanilla and its flavoring extracts also have potential health effects worth further research. For example, the extract vanillin has been studied for its potential role in the management of sickle cell anemia.<\/p>\n
Vanillin shows antimicrobial properties against E Coli and Listeria [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Biofilms<\/a> are microbial films that are embedded in a self-produced matrix [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Quorum sensing<\/a> is a process by which bacteria produce and detect signal molecules and thereby coordinate their behavior. Vanilla is a unique quorum sensing inhibitor and this may help break up biofilms [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Extracts of vanilla pods scavenged radicals in a concentration-dependent manner [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Various extracts scavenged hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Treatment with vanillin ameliorated impaired mitochondrial enzyme complexes (I, II, and IV) in the animal model of Huntington\u2019s disease. Further, it could inhibit singlet oxygen-induced protein and lipid oxidation [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The effect on oxidation is similar to Vitamin C<\/a> but less effective than glutathione<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Vanilla inhibited the oxidation of LDL<\/a> cholesterol in rats [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Vanillin shows dose-dependent inhibition of deoxygenation-induced cell sickling, which might help for sickle cell anemia [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Oral vanillin decreased the percentage of sickled red blood cells in 30 patients with sickle-cell anemia [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Until more research is done, we can\u2019t make any conclusions about the therapeutic potential of vanillin in sickle-cell anemia. Additionally, vanilla extract likely wouldn\u2019t produce the same effects.<\/strong><\/p>\nAntioxidant Properties<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Other<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Side Effects and Risks<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n