One popular health YouTuber’s video about adding a crushed clove to morning coffee pulled in over 7 million views within 30 days.
Millions tried it.
Plenty noticed nothing.
His follow-up video names four common mistakes that may explain why.
He also unveils new research angles, from parasites to antibiotic resistance, which he skipped originally.
Some claims stand on firmer ground than others, so here is the full picture.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Jump to:
Mistake #1: Whole Cloves Keep Their Secrets Locked Up
According to him, the biggest reason for zero results is simple: the spice was never crushed. Many commenters admitted tossing it in whole.
The key ingredient is called eugenol. It’s a phytonutrient, and it’s locked up in that clove, and it has to be pressed or crushed for you to actually have any benefits.
Hot water alone, he says, will not coax eugenol out. Physically breaking the bud open comes first.
- Press it between two spoons
- Grind it into powder, then stir into your cup
- Choose metal or ceramic tools, since plastic “doesn’t really work” in his experience
Breaking spices increases surface area, so the logic is sound. His tool preferences, though, are practical tips rather than proven rules.
Mistake #2: Believing Coffee Is Mandatory
Not a coffee drinker? No problem.
So, you do not need to use it with coffee.
He concedes that coffee compounds might add a synergistic boost, yet admits “we don’t know.” Alternatives include:
- Decaf
- Black, green, or herbal tea
- Plain clove water
- Unflavored raw cacao
Mistake #3: Getting the Dose Wrong
Too much or too little can both backfire. He points to human trials on blood sugar that used 250 mg, which he equates to one clove.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
So, to keep it simple, just use one clove.
Clove size varies, so treat that equivalence as a rough guide. Human evidence for blood sugar benefits is also still early and limited.
Why More Is Not Better
Eugenol on its own tends to thin blood, he explains. Excess amounts could bring several problems:
- Nosebleeds or trouble if you take blood thinners
- Gut lining irritation at very high doses
- Blood sugar dropping too low in people with diabetes
- Clotting concerns before surgery
Anyone on anticoagulants, diabetes medication, or facing an upcoming procedure should check with a doctor first.
Mistake #4: Treating Clove Oil Like a Clove
Concentrated oil is a different beast. Undiluted, in large amounts, it has been shown to irritate the liver.
Because if you think about it, if you crush a clove, how much oil is really going to come out?
Bottles of oil represent many buds squeezed into one potent product. His advice: anyone going that route should know what they’re doing and dilute properly.
What He Left Out the First Time
Four new areas follow. The research here is far more preliminary than the enthusiasm suggests, since much of it involves lab work on isolated compounds rather than people sipping coffee.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Parasites
He says certain studies show cloves outperforming pharmaceutical dewormers. One eugenol derivative was reportedly 700 times more potent than benznidazole.
Cloves go after the eggs.
Worth noting: that potency figure describes a derivative, not a single bud steeped in a mug. Nothing here suggests clove coffee replaces prescribed treatment for an infection.
Bloating and SIBO
Many viewers reported that persistent bloating vanished. His explanation involves bacteria.
Eugenol selectively kills very specific bacteria that are involved in SIBO, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which is behind a lot of persistent chronic bloating.
Antibacterial activity is documented in laboratory settings. Proof that one daily bud treats SIBO in humans is still missing, so persistent bloating deserves a proper medical workup.
The GLP-1 Connection
With Ozempic-style drugs dominating headlines, this one grabs attention. He claims eugenol activates GLP-1 pathways, which curb hunger and support insulin release.
Now, I’m not saying it works as strong as a medication, but it can assist.
Calling cloves “a natural GLP-1” overstates matters. Evidence for any appetite or blood sugar effect in people remains early, and nobody should swap prescribed medication for spice.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Antibiotic Resistance
He calls this the newest and most surprising finding. Research from 2025 reportedly found that clove phytochemicals (eugenol, quercetin, and kaempferol) paired with antibiotics cut the effective antibiotic dose by 4 to 129 times against MRSA, E. coli, and Klebsiella.
I’m not recommending that, but I’m just telling you what was in the study.
He adds that clove appears to inhibit biofilms, the protective coating microbes use to hide from your immune system. Even he asks whether the antibiotic or the spice did the heavy lifting: “I don’t know.”
Laboratory findings are not treatment advice. Never try managing a drug-resistant infection with kitchen spices.
A Remedy With Centuries of Fans
Cultural tradition clearly impresses him.
So, when you look at a remedy that has stood the test of time, that really impresses me.
- Senegal: added to coffee grounds for hundreds of years
- Ethiopia: four to five buds boiled with coffee beans
- India: paired with cardamom and ginger
- Mexico: blended with cinnamon
- Lebanon, Somalia, the Caribbean, and Scotland: also long-time users
Longevity of use proves safety and tradition, not clinical effectiveness. Still, it makes a compelling reason to experiment sensibly.
Your Quick-Start Checklist
- Crush or grind one bud before it meets liquid
- Pick your drink: coffee, tea, cacao, or plain hot water
- Stick to one per day
- Skip concentrated oil unless properly diluted and guided
- Ask your doctor first if medications or surgery enter the picture
