According to recent research, Garlic may have several health benefits. They include the ability to prevent the common cold and lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Modern science has verified many of the great health advantages of Garlic that he suggested using it for. He advised it to treat several medical problems.
Let food serve as both food and medicine. Hippocrates, a classical Antiquity physician, commonly referred to as the founder of Western medicine, said those well-known words.
Explore 9 Health Benefits of Using Garlic
The following list of 9 health advantages of Garlic is based on research on people.
1. Garlic contains compounds with strong medicinal qualities:
A member of the Allium (onion) family, Garlic is a plant. It includes a genetic lineage with leeks, shallots, and onions. Clove is one of the names for each part of a garlic bulb. A single bulb contains 10–20 cloves, depending on how you measure.
Due to its powerful aroma and delicious flavor, Garlic is a widely used cooking item and grows in many parts of the world. Many significant civilizations, including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese, have left extensive documentation of their usage of it. Garlic was, however, mainly used in ancient times for its medicinal and health benefits.
Scientists now understand that the majority of the health advantages of Garlic are due to the sulfur compounds created when a garlic clove is chopped, crushed, or chewed. Allicin, on the other hand, is an unstable substance that is only immediately present in fresh Garlic after it has been cut or crushed. Diallyl disulfide and s-ally cysteine are two additional substances that might aid in the health advantages of Garlic. Allicin is possibly the most well-known compound.
2. It Contains Proper Nutritional Value:
Various vitamins and minerals, including manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, selenium, calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorous, iron, and Vitamin B1, are found in Garlic, which is very nutrient-dense.
Additionally, Garlic has a lot of strong sulfur-containing compounds, including Allicin, alliin, and Ajoene. It not only gives it its distinct foul aroma but also special anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. As a result, Garlic is effective at improving the immune system and managing a variety of chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, and coronary heart disease.
3. It Can Improve Heart health:
Many studies suggest that Garlic decreases numerous risk factors associated with the development of cardiovascular disease. Garlic has great cardio-protective effects.
LDL cholesterol is protected from oxidation in the blood vessel lining by a special combination of sulfur-containing chemicals in Garlic.
The main process was causing myocardial ischemia or heart attacks. Garlic is excellent for the heart due to its abundant sulfur-containing chemicals and its high Vitamin C, B6, selenium, and manganese contents. A crucial antioxidant, vitamin C serves to prevent free radicals from oxidizing LDL cholesterol.
- The Allicin in Garlic helps reduce blood triglycerides and total cholesterol levels.
- Garlic includes sulfur-containing molecules called polysulfides. Red blood cells process these chemicals into a gas known as hydrogen sulfide (H2S). H2S aids in a blood vessel it and appropriate blood pressure maintenance.
- The main ingredient in Garlic, Allicin, prevents the activity of the protein angiotensin II, which prevents blood vessels. Two of the most popular ones of hypertension medication.
- Ajoene, an important disulfide found in Garlic, inhibits platelet aggregation. Thrombotic formation along ruptured artery plaques, which can result in life-threatening diseases, including stroke and heart attacks, is less likely.
4. It helps to strengthen the body’s defenses against infection:
- White blood cells and some other immune cells are improved by Garlic, which helps the body fight infections from various viruses, bacteria, yeasts/fungi, and worms.
- Garlic could help us fight the common cold virus and shorten the frequency and duration of its effects, according to a study.
- Improves immune cell function: According to study findings, aged garlic extract may improve the activity of NK cells, which are immune cells. This could be a factor in the less severe respiratory virus symptoms.
- Garlic is 100 times more effective at eliminating bacterial colonies than the drugs Erythromycin and Ciprofloxacin, according to a study in the Journal of Antibacterial Therapy (of Campylobacter species).
Periodontitis and also other oral infections may respond well to the therapeutic use of Garlic:
- According to various studies, the antibiotic chloramphenicol is not as effective at treating diseases like infectious diseases and conjunctivitis as Garlic is.
- According to a study, multi-drug resistant bacteria species like Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia coli can be inhibited by Garlic.
5. It boosts the body’s iron metabolism:
Garlic can increase the body’s ability to absorb iron, preventing iron deficiency anemia. The iron that is maintained inside our cells must cross a bridge in order to reach the bloodstream. Iron is assisted to cross the cell membrane and returned to circulation by ferroportin.
Garlic’s diallyl sulfide boosts the development of ferroportin, a protein that enhances iron metabolism and releases stored iron. Ferroportin crosses the cell membrane and helps iron to cross over and return to circulation.
6. It Helps in Fighting Cancer:
Allicin, S-Allylcysteine, and diallyl sulfide are among the special group of sulfur-containing chemicals that can aid Garlic in preventing the growth of many different cancer cells. Additionally, it improves immune function, which aids the body in cancer prevention. Garlic can reduce your risk of developing cancers of the breast, colon, stomach, prostate, and lungs, according to studies.
Another component containing sulfur, diallyl sulfide, is also responsible for Garlic’s anti-cancer effects. PhIP can quickly transform into DNA-damaging chemicals. Inhibiting the synthesis of PhIP into carcinogens is just what diallyl sulphide does.
It lowers the risk of breast cancer. High-temperature cooking of beef creates potentially harmful compounds known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs). PhIP, a kind of HCA, has been connected to an increase in breast cancer risk in women who consume large amounts of meat.
7. Prevents Alzheimer’s and Dementia Disease:
High cholesterol, high blood pressure, high homocysteine, and inflammation are cardiovascular disease risk factors that are also associated with an increased risk of dementia, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s disease during later life.
High cholesterol levels cause plaques to form, which can result in a stroke and the brain’s loss of cells. Additionally, it increases the amounts of ß-amyloid peptide, the disordered protein clusters that characterize Alzheimer’s disease.
Similar to how high blood pressure can harm small blood vessels and harm brain cells, it can also result in a decline in cognitive performance. Garlic can reduce the chance of Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and cognitive problems by reducing the risk of heart disease.
8. It Can Improve Respiratory health:
Garlic’s powerful anti-properties can help with hay fever and allergic disease symptoms (allergic airway inflammation). Additionally, it exhibits a remarkable antibacterial effect and reduces the severity of respiratory infections. Garlic is helpful in treating chronic bronchitis since it is a great expectorant.
9. Garlic Addition Can Help Treat Osteoarthritis and Arthritis:
Various studies have shown that Garlic, which contains high levels of sulfur compounds, is effective for treating a variety of arthritic conditions.
- Garlic contains diallyl sulfide (DAS), which means avoiding an enzyme from processing or dissolving cartilage.
- Another new sulfide molecule found in Garlic called thiacremonone exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects.
- Allicin also exhibited a great ability to reduce pain and inflammation brought on by several types of arthritis.
Interesting Garlic Facts to Know:
There is a good reason why Garlic is a component of Italian cuisine. Take some time during National Garlic Month to explore a few new dishes using Garlic and discover some great garlic facts. It is a delightful addition to nearly every dish or sauce and offers more than its fair share of health advantages.
Garlic is a Superhero:
Garlic has so many health advantages that it should be treated as a superhero even though it isn’t an Avenger. Acne and cold sores can both be effectively treated with Garlic thanks to their antibacterial properties. Garlic is a particularly heart-healthy dietary choice since an increase in blood pressure can assist reduces the strain on the heart.
You Eat 2 lbs Per Year On Average:
Obviously, many people eat a lot more Garlic than others. But on average, a person eats around 2 pounds of Garlic a year. That was a lot of Garlic, in fact! With a weight of 30 g on average, 2 pounds of Garlic contains more than 300 cloves.
2/3 Of All Garlic is grown in China:
Garlic is produced and grown in almost every country, and it is used in cooking in a variety of cuisines. They are Italian, African, and many more. However, as of 2012, China produced around 46 billion pounds of Garlic annually, or about 63 % of all garlic grown world. This makes logical because Garlic is a Central Asian native.
There’s More Than the Bulb:
Although the bulb comes to think you’re thinking of Garlic, the plant itself has many parts that are edible. Some varieties produce scrapes—green shoots that are like scallions but taste garlicky—that are similar to green beans.
Blood-Suckers Can Be Prevented With Garlic:
No, vampires are not involved; however, that specific piece of lore likely comes from Garlic’s actual power. Insects can be prevented simply by Garlic. What an excellent excuse for consuming more this summer!
Storage Tips for Garlic:
Don’t put an intact, unpeeled head of Garlic in the fridge because it will start to sprout within a few days. Just keep it cool (between 60 and 65 degrees) and very well. Garlic should not be kept in an airtight container since it will start to rot.
Additionally, plastic bags are bad because they keep them moist, which increases the rotting of Garlic. Instead, use mesh bags or paper wrappers. The whole head of Garlic might last up to six months if stored properly.
How to Store Unpeeled Garlic Cloves?
A head of Garlic’s shelf life starts to reduce after it is broken apart. Individual unpeeled cloves of Garlic can keep for two to three weeks. They are dependent on how clean it was when you acquired it. Garlic cloves should be maintained in the same ways as an unpeeled head of Garlic.
Peeled individual garlic cloves are to be consumed as soon as possible or kept in the refrigerator for no more than a week. To prevent the entire fridge from a smell like Garlic, place them in an airtight food storage container. The same thing can be done with extra minced Garlic.
Quick Tips to Get Garlic Value in Your Daily Food Intake
- To produce a variety of dips, use fresh Garlic.
- Include it with the sautéed vegetables.
- Season your favorite sauces and soups with Garlic.
- Cook tasty fish with lemon and Garlic.
- Prepare fresh bread or treat yourself to garlic and olive focaccia bread.
- Garlic is put into fried rice.
- Include in the basic roast chicken and potato
Final Verdict:
Garlic has long been considered to offer medicinal value. It is now being verified by science. Before greatly increasing your garlic intake, ensure that you talk with your doctor about whether you’re currently using blood-thinning medications.
FAQs:
What happens if I regularly eat Garlic?
The high nutritive benefits of Garlic are also linked to a variety of health advantages. But if you consume too much of it, it could cause adverse side effects like bad breath, acid reflux, digestive problems, and an increased chance of bleeding.
How much Garlic must be taken to get the health benefits?
Adults are typically advised to take 4 g (one to two cloves) of raw Garlic daily, one 300-mg dry garlic powder tablet (standardized to 1.3 % alien or 0.6 % illicit output), two to three times per day, or 7.2 g of aged garlic extract daily.
Does Garlic benefit the brain?
Component garlic contains, according to a group of researchers from the University of Missouri, protects the brain from aging and disease. The discovery advances knowledge about how Garlic may protect from age-related brain conditions, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
How long does it take for Garlic to function in your body?
How quickly does your body absorb and utilize Garlic? The water-soluble components of garlic extract are digested by your body in around 24 hours. But diallyl disulfide bonds and other fat-soluble components take longer to be absorbed.
