Garlic is used for both cooking and medicinal purposes all over the world. The health benefits of garlic are numerous and it is used as an effective remedy against many illnesses. Unlike most medicines, garlic not only boosts your health but also makes your food taste delicious!
You may love garlic or hate it, but do you know the key health benefits of garlic and why you should include it in your daily diet?
Garlic contains sulphuric compounds and allixin, both of which give this plant its antioxidant properties. The sulphuric compounds also give garlic its sharp smell. Right from maintaining your cholesterol to helping you run a quick detox, this quintessential vegetable can help you with everything.
The Five Main Health Benefits Of Garlic
Health Benefits Of Garlic #1: Reduces Blood Pressure And Cholesterol
Garlic is considered to be a heart food as it increases the overall cardiovascular fitness. It protects the aorta, the body’s largest artery, and slows down its aging process. Garlic can also maintain the blood flow and thus help you keep your blood pressure in check.
Studies have shown that eating 2 garlic cloves a day can reduce the cholesterol in your body by 9%.
Health Benefits Of Garlic #2: Has Anticarcinogenic Properties
A garlic-rich diet may reduce your risk of being affected by cancer.
The American National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet states that garlic can help prevent breast, stomach, prostate, esophageal, and colon cancer.
It is said to contain at least 30 types of anticancer compounds and antioxidants, and these are naturally equipped to fight such diseases.
Health Benefits Of Garlic #3: Helps The Body Fight Infections
Another benefit of using garlic is its ability to fight against the different forms of bacteria, virus, fungi, and yeast that the body might be exposed to.
Garlic is nature’s own antibiotic, and can help in treating skin, ear, and intestinal infections. It is also commonly used as a home-remedy for its therapeutic qualities.
An experiment run by Louis Pasteur in 1858 showed that garlic killed the bacteria that were exposed to it.
Health Benefits Of Garlic #4: Keeps The Common Cold Away
Garlic not just helps you avoid catching a cold, but it also speeds up your recovery process if you are already suffering from an infection. Its antimicrobial and antiviral properties help in countering such infections and providing immediate relief.
A research carried out at the Garlic Centre in East Sussex found that out of 73 people who took garlic supplements, only 24 caught a cold. Of the 73 people that did not take the supplements, 65 fell ill. Additionally, the recovery of those consuming garlic was much faster.
Health Benefits Of Garlic #5: Detoxifies The Body
This wonder food helps in cleansing the body of all toxins. Garlic activates the key enzymes in your blood cells and liver that regularly flush out toxins to keep the body healthy!
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle found that when women consumed a teaspoon of fresh garlic and a half cup of onions per day, it elevated their toxin-eliminating enzymes.
The health benefits of garlic are many, as its potential to treat more than 200 ailments should readily describe. To get the most out of this herb, you must chop or crush it to get its enzymes flowing. Once this is done, you can include it in your food, to enjoy a healthy meal.