What Are The Benefits Of Garlic? What Foods To Combine?

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:49

It is a well-known fact that garlic is excluded as an ingredient in Buckingham Castle cuisine because of its smell. Do crowned people lose by depriving themselves of the flavor of this plant? Considered as a powerful means against many diseases, what potential hides this popular vegetable? Almost there is no regional or national cuisine that does not take advantage of the particular taste of garlic. According to the Grands Chefs who share experience in television shows, the secret of a meal is detected in the 2 or 3 cloves of garlic fried in preheated oil. Whatever your choice for cooking with garlic: baked vegetable fries or roasted tomato soup with basil,you will be thrilled. In the article below, we'll zoom in on the health benefits of garlic!

The benefits of garlic based on its compounds

Possessing very strong antiviral and antibacterial properties, garlic ranks at the top of natural means in the fight against viruses. Thanks to the large number of vitamins and minerals, modern science confirms the benefits of garlic for treating a variety of medical conditions. Among the substances in which garlic is abundant are phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, iodine, sulfur and chlorine.

In addition, the nutritional qualities of a single pod are due to the decent amounts of manganese (2% of the daily value), vitamin B6 (2% of the DV), vitamin C (1% of the DV), selenium (1% Daily Value), fiber (0.06 g). That makes 4.5 calories, 0.2 g of protein and 1 g of carbohydrates. Indeed, all this cocktail boosts the immune system and rocking a legion of infections and inflammations. Nowadays there is the opinion that eating garlic can prove to be coronavirus prevention and suggest how to strengthen your immune system.

Even Hippocrates, called the father of Western medicine, actually used to prescribe garlic to treat a variety of medical conditions. It is to him that the famous phrase belongs: "Let food be your medicine and medicine your food".

The garlic family

Being from the Allium (onion) family, garlic is cousin to shallots and leeks. Its use has been well documented by many major civilizations, including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese. Today, scientists are certain that most of the health benefits of garlic are caused by sulfur compounds formed when a clove of garlic is minced, crushed, or chewed. Apparently, the most famous of these components is allicin. However, allicin is an unstable compound that is only briefly present in fresh garlic after it has been cut or crushed. Other compounds that may play a role in garlic's health benefits are diallyl disulfide and s-allyl cysteine. Provided that the sulfur compounds in garlic enter the body from the digestive tract, they convey its powerful biological effects. In short, garlic is a plant in the onion family, cultivated for its distinctive taste and health benefits. It contains sulfur compounds, which are believed to provide several benefits for human well-being.

Enjoy raw garlic?

According to studies and past experience, eating garlic and honey, especially during the flu season, will save you the wait at your GP, money paid to the pharmacy, the discomfort of the common cold and will keep you away from carrying viruses. To this we can add the reduced duration of symptoms to half. Thanks to the phytonutrients in garlic which help the body to fight oxidative stress, one obtains a strong and resistant immunity. So, as a natural antibiotic and an unmistakable immunostimulator, you can eat 2 or 3 pods in the evening, with dinner. Do not mind the smell, because coffee or aromatic tea in the morning will cover it up.

The benefits of garlic on the body in case of diabetes

Getting raw garlic into your body daily will help prevent diabetes, as its compounds can lower blood sugar and contribute to insulin resistance in cells.

For stable heart health

Assuming you have trouble with your blood pressure,the natural remedy that will reduce high levels is garlic. For its part, the potassium it contains exerts a regular regulation in the normal values. We even manage to replace the drug Atenolol, by eating four cloves of garlic per day, a high dose to achieve the desired effect. In this sense, the risk of heart disease is minimized, because garlic lowers the levels of total cholesterol. On the other hand, regular consumption of garlic has no proven effect on the levels of triglycerides which are also a factor in the large number of cardiovascular diseases. People with heart disease who took garlic oil for 6 weeks had a 12% reduction in maximum heart rate and better physical potential.

Promote good sleep

Indeed, the consumption of garlic in the evening, guarantees a peaceful and deep sleep, reconvalescent, from where your nervous system will be able to function normally.

Against osteoporosis

Despite osteoporosis which is a plague for women over 50, garlic stimulates the production of estrogen in the body. As a result, its natural levels build strong bones. Foods like garlic and onion can have beneficial effects on osteoarthritis.

How to oppose digestive problems?

Since unbalanced and irregular diet can lead to constipation or diarrhea, it is recommended to take a few cloves of garlic per day to normalize digestion. As a result, the symptoms are relieved, the inflammation of the intestines is overcome, and at the same time, the development of good intestinal bacteria is stimulated. What could be better than natural remedies for constipation?

Impact on Alzheimer's disease

On the threshold of old age, you must take care of your mental health. Namely, the antioxidants in garlic have the potential to prevent Alzheimer's disease and dementia by combating oxidative damage from free radicals during the aging period. Obviously, the combined effects on lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, along with the antioxidant properties, may reduce the risk of common brain diseases.

Can Eating Garlic Extend Life?

Myth or truth is the effect of garlic on longevity? There is no direct evidence in humans. On the one hand, if you take into account the beneficial factors over important risk factors like blood pressure, it makes sense that garlic could help you live longer.

On the other hand, the fact that it can fight infectious diseases is also an important cause, as many deaths, especially in the elderly or in people, are due to the dysfunction of the immune system.

Is there a connection between athletic performance and taking garlic supplements?

Traditionally used in ancient cultures to reduce fatigue and improve the working capacity of workers, garlic was given to Olympic athletes in ancient Greece.

However, a study of nine competitive cyclists found no performance benefit, while other research suggests exertion-induced fatigue may be reduced with garlic.

Detoxification effect

At high doses, the sulfur compounds in garlic have been shown to protect against organ damage due to heavy metal toxicity.

Garlic was found to reduce blood levels of the metal by 19%, according to a four-week study of car battery factory workers excessively exposed to lead. It also minimized many clinical signs of toxicity, including headaches and high blood pressure. Thanks to three doses of garlic per day one can even outperform the drug D-penicillamine which in general reduces symptoms.

What favors of garlic for / on the hair?

In the list of benefits we can enumerate a few favorable actions: prevent seasonal hair loss, cleanse, solidify, stimulate growth, in a word, do everything to sublimate the hair. The big downside is the repulsive smell, therefore, a hair treatment procedure can be performed on non-working days and without going out. So that vitamins C, B1, B6 and sulfur, as a component of keratin, your hair will be boosted and its growth promoted.

An antifungal effect on the skin

Suppose you are suffering from a skin disease like yeast infection and warts. So you have to chop a clove of garlic so that it turns into a puree. The application is made directly on the affected area.

Garlic and ginger

If the onion is also added to this duo, the blood circulation in the arteries will undoubtedly improve. To prepare an infusion of garlic and ginger, take 1 liter of water, 1 lemon, 4 cloves / bulbs of garlic, 1 small root of ginger.

First chop the ginger and garlic and mix with the sliced lemon. In a pitcher or jar with a lid, pour the liter of boiled water and the mixture of ingredients. Shake well for consistency and let the preparation sit overnight. In any case, consumption can start in the morning. Surely, this powerful detoxification of water of ginger and garlic will assure you a good comfort.

What effect does garlic have on eye problems?

We have already mentioned how you can prepare garlic infusion. It is very effective if you apply it as a warm compress on the eye. This will put an end to chalazions which are a common problem.

Finally, let's say once again that garlic is easy to include in your diet and tastes absolutely delicious. It complements most savory dishes, especially soups, sauces, dressings. The pronounced taste of garlic can also add punch to otherwise bland recipes.

Garlic comes in many forms, from whole cloves and smooth pastes to powders and supplements like garlic extract and garlic oil.

However, keep in mind that garlic does have some downsides, like bad breath. There are also people who are allergic to it. If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners, talk to your doctor before increasing your garlic intake.

A common way to use garlic is to squeeze a few fresh cloves with a garlic press, then toss them with extra virgin olive oil and a little salt. As a result, it is a healthy and super satisfying dressing.