From Indian curry to Mexican salsa, garlic is a common ingredient in food dishes all around the world. Chefs from all over the world attest to its effectiveness, and consumers all around the world adore its powerful flavor. However, the majority of us view garlic as merely another flavoring or ingredient that may be added to cuisine. However, the truth about garlic is that we aren’t even aware of all of its health benefits. Along with being a delicious joy in cooked food, garlic is a nutrient-rich remedy for many health problems.
A rising number of well-liked theories advocate consuming raw garlic in order to reap all of this wonder herb’s health advantages as well as its pungent flavor. Let’s delve further to discover the precise benefits of garlic. You might be persuaded to include more garlic in your diet after reading this review!
Fresh garlic contains several healthy sulphur compounds that can be consumed when it is chopped, mashed, or chewed. Allicin, one of these substances, has been shown to possess antibacterial characteristics by science. Since allicin normally breaks down into less potent chemicals when garlic is cooked, cooked garlic doesn’t contain as much allicin, which is regarded to be the only component responsible for garlic’s antibacterial capabilities.
Garlic Nutritional value
| Per 100g of raw garlic | % of the daily intake | |
| Calories | 149 | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 33.1 g | 11% |
| Fiber | 2.1 g | 8% |
| Fats | 0.5g | 1% |
| Protein | 6.4g | 13% |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.2mg | 62% |
| Vitamin C | 31.2mg | 52% |
| Thiamin | 0.2mg | 13% |
| Riboflavin | 0.1mg | 6% |
| Also contains vitamins A, E, K, Niacin, Folate, Pantothenic acid and Choline | ||
| Manganese | 1.7mg | 84% |
| Selenium | 14.2mcg | 20% |
| Calcium | 181mg | 18% |
| Copper | 0.3mg | 15% |
| Phosphorus | 153mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 401mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1.7mg | 9% |
| Also contains Zinc, Magnesium and sodium | ||
Garlic’s Health Benefits
- Prevents Cold and Cough
It may be possible to prevent cold and cough infections using raw garlic. The best results come from consuming two smashed garlic cloves first thing in the morning. Garlic cloves strung on a thread and hung around the necks of children and infants are said to treat congestion symptoms.
- Favorable to Cardiac Health
Garlic has a substance called allicin that prevents LDL from oxidising (bad cholesterol). This lowers cholesterol levels and strengthens the heart. Garlic consumption on a regular basis lowers the risk of blood clots and aids in thromboembolism prevention. Additionally, garlic decreases blood pressure, making it beneficial for those with hypertension.
- Enhances Cognitive Function
Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, garlic supports brain function. It is useful against dementia and other neurodegenerative illnesses.
- Enhanced Digestion
Addition of raw garlic to the diet helps with digestive issues. It soothes inflammation and is good for the intestines. Consuming raw garlic aids in the removal of intestinal worms. The benefit is that it kills the harmful bacteria while safeguarding the beneficial ones in the stomach.
- Blood Sugar Balance
Those who have diabetes notice that eating raw garlic affects their blood sugar levels.
- Increases immunity
Garlic guards against free radicals and stops DNA damage. Garlic’s zinc boosts immunity. Vitamin C aids in the prevention of infections. Due to its antibacterial characteristics, it is extremely helpful in treating eye and ear infections.
- Enhanced Skin Health
Garlic lessens acne scarring and aids in acne prevention. Applying garlic juice can help blisters, rashes, cold sores, psoriasis, and rashes. Additionally, it shields the skin from UV rays, delaying the ageing process.
- Prevents Cancer and Peptic Ulcer
Garlic shields the body from lung, prostate, bladder, stomach, liver, and colon cancers due to its high antioxidant content. Garlic’s antibacterial properties prevent peptic ulcers by removing the infection from the intestines.
- Good for Losing Weight
Garlic decreases the expression of the genes that create the fat-storing adipose cells. Additionally, it boosts thermo genesis, which causes the body to burn more fat and lower LDL levels (bad cholesterol).
Garlic is quite nutritious in addition to being helpful for weight loss. In actuality, a raw garlic clove weighing about 3 grammas comprises the following:
- Manganese
- B6 vitamin, C vitamin
- Selenium
- Fiber
- Amounts of iron, copper, calcium, potassium, and other elements.
- Possibly enhancing athletic performance
One of the best “performance enhancing” ingredients is garlic. The item was used in the past to alleviate weariness and increase labourers’ ability to work. Garlic consumption may help in improving exercise performance, according to studies on rodents. Garlic was ingested for 6 weeks by people with heart disease, and this led to a 12% decrease in heart rate and improved exercise tolerance.
- Improves renal health and combats UTI
The growth of E may be inhibited by fresh garlic juice. Infection of the urinary tract caused by Coli bacterium (UTI). Furthermore, it guards against kidney infections.
Garlic improves hair development, bone health, liver health, and a reduction in wound infections.
- Reduces fatigue from exercise
Studies from Japan suggest that ageing fresh garlic in a solution of water and alcohol may have a major impact on exercise endurance. Studies on humans have also demonstrated that garlic does really lessen the signs and symptoms of exercise exhaustion.
- Brings down blood toxicity
Garlic may be the greatest organic treatment for persons who are vulnerable to lead poisoning as a result of workplace dangers. Garlic is actually safer and more effective at reducing blood lead poisoning than d-Penicillamine, the typical medication used to treat the same condition.
- Overcome a lack of oestrogen
Older women’s menopause has frequently been linked to a deficiency of the female hormone known as oestrogen as a result of erratic cytokine production. Garlic consumption has been observed to moderate this to some level, suggesting that it may be useful in treating oestrogen insufficiency following menopause.
- Reduce Osteoarthritis’s Consequences or Onset
Additionally, include garlic in your diet can slow or stop the development of osteoarthritis. According to research, garlic contains a substance called daily disulphide that helps to preserve bone density and may therefore prevent the emergence of conditions like osteoarthritis that are related to the bones.
- Eliminate Heart Blocks
It’s also thought that garlic can lessen how sticky your blood platelets are. The clotting of blood is caused by these platelets. A good dosage of garlic can help lessen the blood’s tendency to clot excessively due to platelets. As a result, it might aid in preventing unneeded blood clots in arteries that could eventually travel up to your heart and result in a heart attack.