Pumpkin spice: you either love it or hate it. I am of the opinion that almost everyone loves pumpkin spice (and those who don’t probably secretly love it). 

But what’s not to love? As the herald of fall, it signals the changing of the season and brings with it frosty air, sweater weather, colorful leaves, warm beverages by the fireplace, and the promise of the holiday season. 

I agree that some businesses looking to cash in on the trend can take it too far (like this pumpkin spice deodorant), but for the most part you can enjoy it from your morning coffee, to cookies and pies, and even savory dinners like this Pumpkin Pasta with Sausage.

But did you know that pumpkin spice provides more than just a seasonal twist? Here are the five surprising health benefits you can get from your favorite fall flavor.

Better Eyesight

The most prominent part of pumpkin-flavored goodies is, of course, pumpkin! Pumpkin actually belongs to the squash family (think butternut squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, and even melons and cucumbers). Similar to carrots, pumpkin is extremely high in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A.

In fact, one cup of cooked pumpkin contains 245% of your daily serving of Vitamin A! ¹ Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that is responsible for many bodily processes including proper immune system functioning and healthy eyesight. If you’re not a fan of carrots, pumpkin is a great alternative.

Less Sore Muscles

Cinnamon makes up the majority of the spices that are added to a pumpkin spice mixture. When people digest cinnamon in their daily diet, they typically get it from ground cinnamon sticks, which are found from the inner bark of a small evergreen tree. Cinnamon is most known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, which is due to its high content of polyphenol antioxidants.

Inflammation is a natural response from your body as it fights against any type of stress it encounters including physical strain, infections, toxins, injuries etc. Anti-inflammatory foods help your body in this self-healing process, so try some cinnamon in your post-workout protein shakes to help with muscle recovery.

Reduce Free Radical Damage

Another part of pumpkin spice is nutmeg, which is also harvested from a tree. Nutmegs are high in antioxidants, which help fight and reduce free radicals in your body. Free radicals are generated as a natural waste, or are increased after exposure to certain harmful elements like tobacco or pollution, leading to cell damage. Adding nutmeg to your diet is a helpful way to keep it at bay.

Healthy Digestion

Have you ever wondered why ginger ale always seems to quell an uneasy stomach? Ginger, which grows as a root, is an extremely helpful aid for gut health and digestion. It can be eaten as the root itself or ground into a powder, which is when it’s added to pumpkin spice. It’s been known to help treat motion sickness, indigestion, nausea, and more. Researchers speculate that it stimulates the digestive tract by not only soothing the lining, but also keeping things, ahem, regular.

Bacteria Be Gone

Last but not least, we have ground cloves added to pumpkin spice. Also originally from an evergreen tree, whole cloves are extracted from the flower buds that grow on it. Cloves seem to be especially high in antibacterial properties, with one study showing clove was able to kill three common types of bacteria, one of which being E. Coli. Clove is a popular essential oil that you can use for the same health benefits. But for an extra mouth-watering treat, why not add cloves to your daily diet? 

And there you have it: our top 5 health benefits from our favorite fall flavor. So the next time you think about indulging in a pumpkin spice latte, you won’t have any regrets!