Garlic can assist with common cold, influenza, pimples, hair loss, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease prevention. We’ve compiled a list of benefits why you should start consuming more garlic and make it a mainstay in your kitchen.
Garlic belongs to the onion family, and its ‘bulb’ comprises 15 – 20 smaller pieces known as cloves. Each tiny clove not only has a delicious taste but also has a plethora of therapeutic value.
Even though garlic has so many health benefits, we typically avoid it because of the unpleasant odour it produces, or we eat it anyhow and end up smelling like garlic. Who would want that? We’re happy to say that you can enjoy your garlic without any unpleasant odours or discomfort. But before that, let’s look at the many benefits of fresh garlic.
Prevents Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, garlic’s cancer-fighting benefits are due to its antimicrobial capabilities and capacity to prevent the production of cancer-causing chemicals.
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Allicin, a sulphur component found in garlic, seems to latch to breast cell receptor locations, blocking cancer agents from acting, according to CancerActive. Allicin is also an effective anti-infection agent against microorganisms, infections, microbes, and gastrointestinal disorders.
In other respects, the nutritional benefits of garlic, whether cooked or raw, are only felt once the clove has been crushed, releasing Allicin.
Treat Colds and flu
According to research published in the international Advances In Therapy, consuming garlic regularly can cut the number of colds by 63 per cent. In addition, the average length of cold symptoms was reduced by 70%, that is, from five days to one and a half days. That’s not something to sneeze at!
Take about three raw and cooked garlic bulbs each day, make your garlic drink with a dash of honey or ginger for flavor, or add it to your regular meals to treat a blocked nose or bronchitis and boost immunity.
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Glowing skin
Garlic defends your skin from free radicals and slows down collagen reduction and loss of skin elasticity. Applied to the skin, garlic does wonders for fungal infections and relieves eczema, ringworm and athlete’s foot.
Rubbing crushed garlic on your scalp or massaging with garlic-infused oil prevents and reverses hair loss. In addition, garlic’s high sulphur content contains keratin which cheers on hair growth and promotes hair strength.
Are you tired of facing unsightly spots every morning? Tackle the problem of pesky bumps by purifying your blood from the inside out. Swallow two cloves of raw garlic with warm water first in the morning and flush your system with lots of freshwaters all day. The next time you see a pimple forming, rub a slice of raw garlic over the area and stop the trouble before it starts.
lower your blood pressure.
Garlic’s active components have been shown to decrease blood pressure equivalent to prescription medicines. According to a study published in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, between 600 and 1500 mg of garlic extract is just as beneficial as recommended medicines for hypertension for 24 weeks.
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Boost your performance.
Garlic not only improves physical ability but also aids in reducing exercise-induced exhaustion.
Participants with cardiovascular disease who took garlic for weeks saw a significant decrease in peak cardiac rate of up to 12% and improved performance in treadmill strength and endurance, according to a study published in the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmaceutics.
Enhances Cognitive Ability
Garlic enhances brain health because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Diseases of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, can be effectively combated. The ideal nutrients for your brain are discussed further in the accompanying reading.
Prevent Heart Blockages
Garlic is also known to help reduce platelet stickiness in the blood. These platelets are in charge of blood coagulation. A good dosage of garlic can help lessen platelets’ excessive clotting impact on the blood. As a result, it may help prevent unwanted blood clots inside arteries that could reach your heart and cause a heart attack.
Keep your heart healthy.
Garlic, whether raw or cooked in meals, helps decrease cholesterol, according to the antioxidant qualities of Allicin in garlic. According to a study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, garlic’s impact on total cholesterol in those with increased levels was moderately lowered.
Enhances Digestion
The addition of raw garlic to the diet helps with digestive issues. It is beneficial to the intestines and helps to relieve inflammation. Eating raw garlic aids in the removal of intestinal worms. The good news is that it kills the bad bacteria while protecting the healthy bacteria in the stomach.
What are the adverse effects of ingesting garlic?
Garlic is generally safe to consume orally. It might induce adverse effects of poor breath, heartburn, gas, and diarrhoea. When raw garlic is consumed orally, the adverse effects are frequently severe and may raise the risk of bleeding and induce allergic responses in some people.
Is it OK to apply garlic to the skin?
Garlic products such as gels and pastes may be safe. However, garlic may cause skin damage akin to a burn. Raw garlic can cause significant skin irritation when applied to the skin.