Top 10 Health Benefits of Garlic
The secret ingredient to every meal is love. And also garlic.
– Michael Sorrentino
According to popular belief, it harms vampires. According to recent scientific studies, it helps people. It protects the brain and prevents neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The list of garlic’s benefits has just grown.
In medicine, garlic is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients. This is why it is recommended to eat it for people struggling with, for example, respiratory infections.
Nothing helps a sore throat better than warm milk with butter and garlic. At least that’s what our grandmothers and moms say.
Why Is Garlic Healthy for You?
The list of benefits of eating garlic benefits is much longer. It helps to fight bacteria and viruses, prevent cancer, lower blood pressure, and more.
It’s widely known for its ability to fight viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
You might be wondering why garlic is considered healthy. The answer is that allicin is just one of its many beneficial properties.
Allicin is one of the compounds in fresh garlic. Studies have shown that it has antiviral properties and is effective against a broad range of bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains of E Coli.
1. Garlic Can Boost Your Immune System
The plant can help you to boost your body’s immune system. This means that you’ll be able to fight off infections more easily. If you want to learn how garlic works, read below for a few tips.
You should eat at least two cloves of fresh garlic every day.
A diet rich in garlic can reduce the risk of getting a cold by as much as 60 percent.
Garlic also shortens the treatment time for colds by up to 70 percent.
Garlic’s antiviral effect is due to its high content of sulfur compounds, which strengthen the immune system and neutralize free radicals and toxins.
If you don’t like garlic, you can use garlic supplements. They do not have a garlic aftertaste but retain its health benefits.
2. Garlic Helps Reduce High Blood Pressure
Garlic is one of the most effective antidotes against hypertension (blood pressure.)
There have been many studies conducted on this topic. One study found that eating two cloves of raw garlic daily for three months helped lower the systolic and diastolic pressures.
Another study showed that a group of patients who ate four servings of garlic daily for six weeks experienced considerable decreases in their blood pressure.
Still, another study revealed that when people were given a supplement containing garlic extract, they also saw improvements in their blood pressure levels.
.However, you should be aware that some side effects are associated with taking large amounts of garlic supplements. For example, you may experience a burning sensation when you take them.
You can prevent these symptoms by using smaller doses of the herb. You will still benefit from the benefits of the herb.
3. Garlic Improves Cholesterol Levels, And May Lower the Risk of Heart Disease
Eating more healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, and nuts is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Did you know that garlic can help you achieve that goal?
There are two kinds of cholesterol in your blood: “bad” LDL cholesterol and “good” HDL cholesterol.
Too much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and not enough high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol can cause severe health issues.
Study shows that consuming a little bit of garlic daily may decrease your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol.
This means that you’ll have fewer chances of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
4. Garlic May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Garlic is a good source of antioxidants that can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Oxidative damage caused by free radicals contributes to the aging process of all cells, including the brain.
A University of Missouri researcher has discovered that a particular nutrient in garlic protects the brain against aging and disease.
The study found that people who eat garlic every day have better brain function and are less likely to develop age-related neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’
5. Garlic Can Help with the Prevention of Cancer
Cancer is a disease that affects many various parts of your body.
The good news is that cancer can be prevented.
There are a number of ways to prevent cancer, and one of the most effective methods is to eat garlic.
Garlic contains powerful antioxidants, including allicin, diallyl sulfide, and other compounds. All these chemicals have been shown to help fight against cancer.
One study found that women who ate more than five cloves of raw garlic per week were less likely to develop breast cancer later in life. Another study suggested that people who regularly eat garlic may lower their risk of developing colon cancer.
A third study found that men who consumed large amounts of garlic had a reduced chance of getting prostate cancer.
6. Eating Garlic May Help Detoxify Heavy Metals in the body
The world we live in today has exposed us to a wide range of chemicals and compounds daily, and we are often unaware of their effects on our health.
These compounds can be commonly found in pesticides, personal care products, or household cleaners.
Garlic is a potent detox food. It increases liver enzymes that create the glutathione we need to flush toxins out of our bodies.
It also delivers other significant detoxifying components, including multiple bioactive selenium and sulfur compounds.
7. Garlic and weight loss
Garlic is a known appetite suppressant. It helps keep you feeling full for longer and prevents you from overeating.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found a link between burning garlic and burning fat.
The compounds stimulate the fat-burning process and speed up metabolism, which additionally helps you lose weight effectively.
8. Garlic May Improve Bone Health
So far, no human studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of garlic on bone loss. However, research in rodents has shown that it can minimize bone loss by increasing female estrogen levels.
One study in perimenopausal women found that daily consumption of dry garlic extract (equivalent to 2 grams of raw vegetables) significantly reduced the marker of estrogen deficiency.
This suggests that both a fresh product and a supplement may have beneficial effects on bone health in women.
Foods like garlic and onions can also have beneficial effects in counteracting the development of osteoarthritis.
9. Garlic and diabetes
Garlic can also support people with diabetes, especially type 2.
It helps lower blood sugar levels and slows down insulin breakdown.
This plant, having a positive effect on blood vessels and arteries, also protects the heart of diabetic patients against cardiomyopathy and atherosclerosis.
Lowering too high blood sugar levels also reduces the risk of diabetic complications.
10. Garlic for longevity?
This statement may be slightly exaggerated. The potential effect of garlic on human longevity is virtually unproven.
But given its beneficial effects on important risk factors such as blood pressure normalization, antiatherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, it may be hypothesized that garlic may help you live longer.
The fact that it can help fight infectious diseases is also important as they are common causes of death. This is especially important in the elderly or with an inadequate immune system.
Garlic has a beneficial effect in counteracting common causes of chronic diseases. It also helps to alleviate acute conditions, and therefore hypothetically, it may also help to extend life.
Conclusion
The available research proves that garlic has been popular for millennia for a reason.
Its versatile culinary use makes it very easy to include it in your daily diet. Garlic dishes not only gain character but also gain additional health benefits.
Garlic is a plant that has valuable healing properties. Even people who dislike its taste and specific smell must admit that it offers great health benefits.
Whenever there is an opportunity, choose fresh garlic from local producers. It’s always a smart choice.
FAQ
- What are some of the benefits of garlic?
Garlic is good for your heart, skin, and immune system. It helps your body to fight off bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It will also help you to lower your blood pressure.
- Does eating a lot of raw garlic cure cancer?
Raw garlic has many healing properties, but it doesn’t treat cancer. However, if you eat it regularly, your immune system may be stronger and help fight off illnesses and prevent different forms of cancer.
- What other benefits does garlic have?
Garlic can also help prevent heart disease and strokes. It can help lower cholesterol, protect against infections, and prevent high blood pressure.
- Is garlic a spice or a vegetable?
Garlic is a vegetable.
- How do I cook with garlic?
There are many ways to cook with garlic. You can put garlic in soups, sauces, and stews. You can also add it to pasta, rice, and bread.
- What is the healthiest way to eat garlic?
You will benefit most from raw garlic; however, if you prefer to cook it, do not heat it above 140 degrees F (60 C). Higher temperatures kill allicin, so add garlic to your dishes when you are almost done cooking.
- How Long Does Garlic Last?
Garlic lasts about three months when stored in a cool, dry place.
