Garlic- Health Benefits
What is Garlic?
Garlic is a plant that is botanically considered a vegetable that is used as a herb or spice. It is part of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), which also include chives, leeks, onions, shallots and scallions. For centuries garlic has been used as a food, for health as well as for flavoring dishes. Garlic has a rich history of cultivation, medicinal benefits, consumption and is still considered a “natural antibiotic” by many cultures and a common seasoning in foods.
Allicin, found in fresh raw garlic gives it its taste and smell. Garlic contains phytochemicals, fiber, along with high levels of potassium, phosphorus zinc, and sulfur, moderate levels of selenium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, and low levels of sodium, vitamin A and C and B-complex.
How to Incorporate Garlic Into Your Diet?
Garlic is great to have on hand in your pantry. Whether used in powder or fresh form, garlic can be incorporated into many foods such as:
1) Meats
2) Seafood/fish
3) Sauces
4) Vegetables
5) Broth
6) Roasted garlic
7) Soups
Health Benefits
The health benefits of consuming fresh and raw garlic are numerous. According to certain research and studies, garlic has been found to have many medicinal and healing properties.
Garlic is nutritious and low in calories.
Garlic contains high levels of potassium, phosphorus zinc, and sulfur, moderate levels of selenium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, and low levels of sodium, vitamin A and C and B-complex.
Anti Fungal Anti bacterial
Applying garlic topically may help in can killing bacterial and fungal infections
Garlic may reduce blood pressure
According to research garlic has been known to reduce hypertension or blood pressure which is responsible for heart or strokes. Certain studies have shown that eating crushed garlic every day reduced blood pressure if taken over a period of 24 weeks.
Garlic may lower cholesterol level
Garlic has been shown to lower LDL by 10-15%, which may also lower the risk of heart disease
Garlic may protect the heart
Allicin found in crushed garlic together with vitamin B6, vitamin C and selenium found in garlic may protect the heart
Garlic is rich in Antioxidants
Garlic contains antioxidants that protects the body from damage from free radicals which trigger human diseases.
Garlic helps detoxify the body
The sulfur compound found in garlic may help protect the body against heavy metal toxicity like excess exposure to lead.
Garlic has also been found to boost your immune system and lessen the duration and severity of coughs and colds.
So this year, slowly introduce garlic into your diet and always observe how you feel.
Like always, Smell, Taste, Enjoy. Be Mindful of the Food You Eat!
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7402177/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211802011000374