Vanilla: Benefits, Antioxidants, Uses and How to Use It
Vanilla: Benefits, Antioxidants, Uses and How to Use It IMPORTANT: Natural vanilla is generally safe when used as a food flavoring in the usual culinary amounts. Still, a few precautions are worth remembering. Commercial vanilla extracts contain alcohol (often 35% or more), so they are not suitable for very young children, for people who avoid alcohol, or for those taking medications that interact with it. People with a known allergy to vanilla or vanillin may develop skin reactions (contact dermatitis), especially those who handle the pods frequently (so-called “vanillism”). During pregnancy and breastfeeding, vanilla used as a flavoring in foods is considered safe, but avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol-based extract. Synthetic vanillin (artificial flavoring) does not provide the same beneficial compounds as natural vanilla and may trigger headaches in some sensitive people. If you are following medical treatment or have a chronic condition, vanilla never replaces a doctor’s advice — use it as a pleasant spice, not as a medicine. ...