Garlic is often used for dressing your food or for adding some taste to it. Did you know that garlic is healthy for you? Garlic contains essential nutrients that are healthy for the body. The health benefits of garlic are numerous.
In ancient times garlic was the proposed medication for treating various types of illnesses. Modern medicine also accepts the healing properties that garlic possesses by including them in their medicines. Additionally, recent studies show that garlic can relax blood vessels to increase blood flow.
Top 10 Health Benefits Of Garlic
1. Improvement in blood sugar level
Garlic possesses anti-inflammatory properties. This allows the blood to flow more easily through the body. Studies reveal that people who took garlic supplements had lowered their blood pressure by 10%.
2. Improvement in cardiovascular health
Garlic lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and thereby prevents the risk of heart diseases. It relaxes any blood vessels that have hardened in the body and prevents aggressive activity in platelets. The nitric oxide released by garlic succeeds in relaxing the blood vessels in the body. It does not allow platelets to attach themselves to protein which lessens blood clots.
3. Good athletic activity
In the early days, people used garlic to cure fatigue for people indulging in physical labour. This practice got picked up in Greece and athletes started using garlic to improve their athletic performance. Modern-day athletes have picked up this neat trick and have been using garlic to reduce post-exercise fatigue. Consider adding garlic to your diet to experience an endurance boost.
4. Improved memory
This is one of the treasured health benefits of garlic. Garlic contains S-allyl cysteine. This antioxidant protects your brain against any risks of brain damage. It keeps your brain functioning well even when you age. It increases the blood flow to your brain by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Furthermore, Garlic reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
5. Lowers Cholesterol
Consuming garlic lowers cholesterol and thereby brings improvements to cardiovascular health. A study performed on individuals noted their cholesterol levels decrease after consuming garlic over some time. However, the results with garlic for low cholesterol level is not instant, it takes consistency and patience from your side for the results to show. Like a lot of medication, you have to give it a while before the garlic starts showing its magic. Your body needs to absorb the vitamins and minerals from garlic for your body to positively respond to it. Garlic is rich in Vitamins B, C6, allicin, antioxidants, manganese, and selenium. Developing a habit of adding garlic to your diet will benefit your health in the long run.
6. Treats Cold and Flu
Garlic after digestion performs the work of boosting the immune system. This reduces the severity of cold and flu and oftentimes prevents it. A study revealed that certain individuals consuming garlic supplements reduced the severity of cold the individuals experienced by 63% and acted as a preventative measure for some. Individuals who caught a cold started feeling better sooner. Moreover, the cold symptoms got reduced from five days to one and a half-day. When you feel like you’re catching a cold, consider adding garlic to your diet.
7. Healthy bones
Studies point towards the evidence that garlic increases estrogen in females. This is extremely beneficial for women after menopause as it reduces bone loss. Daily doses of garlic in the diet can help you eliminate the chances of suffering from osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. However, only garlic will not do the trick. You need to add other healthy foods to your diet to make a difference in your lifestyle and have an impact on your bone density. Leafy greens, fish, nuts, and proteins are good choices for your diet. Furthermore, consider seasoning your meals with garlic when you deliberate seasoning your meals. This way you do not need to take the trouble of remembering to take garlic separately.
8. Good skin
Garlic has antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. All of these properties add to the benefit of your skin. If you’ve got acne, rub garlic over the affected area to get rid of it. This neat little trick will make your acne go away soon. However, if you are from a sensitive skin family, then make sure you do not overdo rubbing the acne or your skin might get irritated. Garlic’s antioxidant properties protect your skin and save it from damage from free radicals. Garlic improves skin cell growth. It works as an anti-aging ingredient in the long run by preserving the longevity of your skin cells.
9. Detoxification properties
Garlic contains detoxifying properties. When taken in high doses, garlic contains sulphur compounds that protect the body from any kind of metal toxicity. Studies revealed that garlic can reduce lead levels in the blood by 19%. It eliminates other signs of toxicity such as blood pressure and headache. Heavy doses of garlic compete and outperform D-penicillamine and reduce symptoms in patients.
10. As a preventative measure for cancer
Garlic is used by health professionals today as a preventative measure for lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, and rectal cancer. However, its effectiveness in preventing the aforementioned has not been backed by research yet.
The Jiangsu Provincial Centre for Disease Control, China states that as per their seven-year study individuals who consumed raw garlic a minimum of two times a week had a relatively lower risk of developing lung cancer. The studies and interviews conducted with existing cancer patients revealed that garlic could be a potential chemopreventative ingredient for lung cancer.
Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina reported that the sulphur compounds from garlic, out of which DATS is the most effective, proved useful in eliminating brain cancer cells.
Final thoughts
Garlic is considered a superfood by many owing to the various health benefits of garlic. A lot of people cannot stand the smell of garlic which is why they use it in the powdered form. However, raw garlic is a lot more beneficial compared to powdered garlic in terms of health.
