Vanilla extract is a solution made from pods of vanilla plants that are macerated and filtered in a solution of ethanol and water. It is an essential solution that adds flavor to foods and beverages, cakes, cookies, medicines, and perfumes.
Vanilla extract can either be pure or synthetic. Natural vanilla extract is expensive and has high demand due to its health benefits, while imitation vanilla is readily available and is less expensive.
Can you eat vanilla extract raw? Yes. Raw vanilla extract poses no harm when you eat in its raw form. However, it’s advisable to add it to other dishes for flavor. Since it contains ethanol, it can make one intoxicated. It can also be allergic to some people and may lead to difficulty breathing, digestion problems, and headaches.
What is the Nutritional Value of Raw Vanilla Extract?
Raw vanilla extracts contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium. These act as antioxidants that help prevent the occurrence of chronic diseases such as stroke and heart attacks.
One teaspoon serving of raw vanilla extract that is usually in baking recipes contains:
- Calories: 12
- Protein: 3 milligrams
- Fat: 3 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 531 milligrams
- Sugar: 531 milligrams
What are the Benefits of Raw Vanilla Extract?
Vanilla extract has properties that help improve your immune system, prevent heart diseases, relieve stress and anxiety, and act as a natural remedy to curb respiratory illness.
Besides being used to add scents to perfumes, raw vanilla extract can be used as a natural tool for your overall health. It’s rich in antioxidants that protect against damages from free radicals that enter your body. This will help protect your skin from UV damages, breakouts and reduce acne.
The aroma of vanilla extract can be used in therapy to help calm your nervous system and relieve stress and anxieties. The calming effect can help lessen crying in newborns, especially the ones born prematurely.
The vanilla extract’s alcohol contents can be used as a home remedy to relieve pain from toothaches. All you need is to apply a few drops to your tooth’s affected area that will numb the pain. This may offer temporary relief before you can get a permanent solution from a dentist.
Raw vanilla extract has low calories and carbohydrates that can help people trying to manage and lose weight. You can substitute with sugar, which can help reduce high blood glucose levels to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle.
It can help strengthen your hair by minimizing split ends and improving your scalp health. This will fix your hair problems and promote growth. Research has also shown that vanilla extract can help prevent heart attacks. This is by lowering the cholesterol levels and preventing inflammation of your arteries and blood clots that will enhance blood flow and boost your metabolism.
One tablespoon of raw vanilla extract mixed in warm water can help relieve respiratory issues like cough and cold. It can help to reduce and treat throat irritation and inflammation that will help prevent throat infections. But, if the pain persists, it’s always good to consult a doctor.
It can also act as a natural remedy to soothe gut inflammation and digestion issues like diarrhea and stomaches. This will help promote your overall digestive health.
How Else Can You Use Raw Vanilla Extract?
Raw vanilla has many uses at home such as baking, neutralizing the smell of fresh paint, insect repellant and relieving pain from occasional operations in the kitchen.
You can also use vanilla extract to neutralize the unpleasant smell of fresh paint in your home. You add a tablespoon of vanilla extract into the paint can and then proceed to paint. Vanilla extract can also freshen your fridge and microwave by removing the bad smell that may still be there after cleaning it. All you need to do is wipe the surfaces with vanilla extract, and the bad odor will be out.
It helps to relieve pain that may occur from small burns. You may accidentally touch hot surfaces or cooking pans in the kitchen. The alcohol in the vanilla extract will help cool such burns.
Besides baking, raw vanilla extracts will add flavor to your dishes and ice cream, smoothies, yogurt, porridge, pancakes, sauces, and stews. You no longer have to have a boring meal when you have vanilla extract in your home. It’s healthy and nutritious and will make your dishes sweet to taste.
Vanilla extract can act as a natural insect repellent. To do this, you mix a tablespoon with water, add it to your sprits bottle and spray it around. This will prevent Insects from flying around your dining area that can be embarrassing, especially when you have visitors around.
Final Thoughts
- Raw vanilla extract is a solution made by mixing pods of vanilla and alcohol to add flavor to dishes and desserts. It can either be pure or synthetic and has is unhealthy benefits.
- It’s best to add vanilla extract to your food rather than eating it raw. It can cause an allergic reaction to some people and can make you intoxicated. It contains ethanol contents that have the same effect as alcohol.
- It contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium are also low in calories that are ideal for people trying to manage their weight.
- Vanilla extract can be used in various ways other ways such as to freshen up your kitchen by removing bad smells from your fridge and microwave. You can also add in your paint to remove unpleasant odors after painting. It can also help relieve pain from minor burns and can act as an insect repellent
- You can add vanilla extract to your baking recipes, desserts, and dishes to add flavor and also blend in smoothies and ice cream,
- Overall, vanilla extract can be a valuable source of flavor for your dishes and overall home activities.