Garlic (Allium sativum) is a strong-smelling, pungent-tasting herb noted for its many health benefits. It contains a powerful compound called allicin that helps lower cholesterol. The health benefits of garlic include easing the symptoms of common cold, lowering blood pressure, and reducing the risk of heart ailments as well as neurodegenerative disorders.
🌾What is Garlic?
Garlic is a close relative of the onion and is native to Central Asia. The garlic bulb contains several cloves and each clove is covered with a soft translucent peel. Garlic has been used as a seasoning in food as well as a traditional remedy for over 3,000 years. Sir Louis Pasteur, the scientist who discovered pasteurization, used the anti-bacterial qualities of this herb as early as 1858. A report in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Research suggested that one clove per day may bring a vast improvement in your overall health, while two to three cloves daily could help keep the common cold at bay.
🌾Nutrition
Garlic is very low in calories, saturated fats, and sodium. It has several useful minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium, and iron, and trace minerals like iodine, sulfur, and chlorine. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, garlic is a rich source of B-vitamins (folate, thiamine, niacin, and B-6), and vitamins C, A, and K. Garlic is one of the rare dietary sources of organic compounds, allicin, allisatin 1, and allisatin 2.
🌾Benefits of Raw Garlic
Let’s look at the health benefits of garlic below.
🌾Eases Cold and Cough
A 2014 paper published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews cited a study that assessed 146 participants over three months to find out the impact that it had on patients suffering from cold and cough. As part of the study, researchers divided the total number of participants into two equal groups. One group took a placebo tablet while the other group took a garlic tablet. At the end of the study, researchers found that people who took garlic every day for three months instead of a placebo had fewer bouts of cold as compared with the placebo group.
🌾Reduces Hypertension
According to a 2014 report in the Integrated Blood Pressure Control journal, aged garlic extract has the ability to lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. However, further studies are required to verify if they can be considered an alternative therapy for hypertension.
🌾Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Raw garlic, rich in the allicin compound, prevents LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidizing. Research shows a reduction in cholesterol and triglycerides in rats consuming raw garlic. However, there is not enough research to verify this health benefit definitively.
🌾Boosts Heart Health
Garlic has significant cardioprotective properties, which might help prevent diseases like atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, hypertension, and more. While most reviewed research supports the correlation between garlic intake and cardioprotection, per the Nutrition Journal study, further research is needed to decide proper form and dosage. One should keep a close tab on the proper use of this pungent herb i.e. use of different preparations available, dose, duration and its interaction with generic drugs.
🌾Neuroprotective Properties
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of raw garlic may help prevent future neurodegenerative diseases.
🌾Prevents Heavy Metal Poisoning
High doses of garlic may prevent organ damage caused by heavy metals. The sulfur compounds in this herb drastically reduce lead levels in the blood. They also prevent the signs of toxicity, such as headaches and blood pressure, and also aid in better absorption of iron and zinc in the blood. A 2012 report published in Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology reveals that garlic is effective in reducing blood and tissue lead concentrations among human beings and animals alike.
🌾Heals Wounds
It acts as an effective herbal remedy for the infected wound. Place 2 crushed cloves on the infected area to get instant relief.
🌾Bone Health
Herbs like garlic and onion may impact estrogen levels in menopausal women, reducing the risk of osteoarthritis. They may also minimize bone loss and improve overall bone health in both, men and women.
🌾Boosts Digestion
Daily inclusion of raw garlic cloves in your diet aids digestive problems. Even inflammation or irritation of the gastric canal may be reduced using this herb. Garlic helps clear up most intestinal problems like dysentery, diarrhea, and colitis. Its role in dispelling worms is phenomenal. It does not affect the good bacteria in the intestine but destroys the harmful ones. It not only enhances digestion but also helps relieve stomach gas.
🌾Regulates Blood Sugar
Eating raw garlic cloves reduced blood sugar levels, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition.
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