Yes,Vanilla has the flavor and the smell that are to die for but did you know there are actually health benefits to it?!
Helps with nausea. A number one benefit of vanilla extract is that it can be used to help calm the stomach when you are feeling nauseous. You simply add a few drops of the extract to a glass of water and sip slowly on it. The combination of the scent and the slow sipping of the extract should help to reduce the feeling of nausea.
Reduces anxiety and stress. Studies have shown that vanilla extract has a positive benefit on people who are dealing with stress and anxiety. The scent helps with this.
Regulates menstruation. Women with irregular periods may use vanilla extract to help regulate their cycles.
Increased libido. Since ancient times, vanilla has been regarded an aphrodisiac. However, ongoing aromatherapy studies suggest that vanilla may increase sexual desire by boosting testosterone levels in men. A 1970s study also claimed that majority of its participants believed that vanilla had cured their impotency. While there is no concrete evidence to prove this, experts believe that the aroma of vanilla does induce feelings of pleasure and satiation.
Lower Calorie Sweetener. Pure vanilla bean extract isn’t very sweet, especially compared to artificial and refined sugars, but its unique flavor can enhance the taste of baked goods, smoothies and coffee and reduce the need for additional sweeteners. As such, vanilla extract can be considered a lower calorie sugar substitute.
Source of Some Vitamins and Minerals.Vanilla bean extract is not super nutritious, but it’s a source of small quantities of vitamins and minerals. For example, the natural extract contains many B vitamins such as B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5 and B-6. B vitamins are important for metabolism and energy production, as well as the synthesis of enzymes. Real vanilla bean extract also contains many minerals in trace amounts such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron and zinc.
Mild Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory.The main active compound in vanilla extract is vanillin, which accounts for most of its flavor, but it also acts as a mild antioxidant capable of eliminating harmful free radicals. Other compounds in pure vanilla extract that display mild antioxidant or anti-inflammatory properties include eugenol, caproic acid, phenol ether, carbonyl compounds, esters, lactones and vitispiranes. Natural vanilla extract may also have some ability to combat bacterial and fungal infections, research is ongoing for this claim though.