Garlic Health Benefits.
We all use garlic in our cooking without knowing garlic benefits. Garlic belongs to the onion family and is considered a vegetable and a herb. To derive the best health benefits of garlic, it is best eaten raw. Just one to two cloves of raw garlic a day can give you diverse health benefits. Even the Bible mentions the medicinal benefits garlic can give you. The only draw back in eating raw garlic is its pungent taste and odour it gives to your breadth. Garlic is also available as supplements.
Picture of garlic.
Garlic Benefits.
1)Anti Bacterial and Anti viral Properties of Garlic.
Garlic is useful in treating infection like cold and cough due to its anti bacterial and anti viral properties. This is attributed to an active sulphur compound called Allicin which helps improve our immune system. Please note that the powerful anti oxidant properties of garlic helps in fighting infections.
2)Anti Fungal Properties of Garlic.
Due these properties, garlic is used in treating recurrent intestinal parasite infection and yeast infections. Here again Allicin is responsible for this action of garlic.
3) Garlic Benefit in Diabetes.
Garlic stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas, thereby helping in controlling blood sugar in Diabetes.
4) Garlic Benefit on Cholesterol.
Garlic is a powerful anti oxidant because it contains selenium, a trace element. It prevents oxidation of LDL, the bad cholesterol and helps in preventing formation of plaques on the arterial wall (called atherosclerosis). If you have high cholesterol levels, make it a habit of eating one to two garlic cloves with lunch or dinner.
5) Garlic Benefit on Allergy.
Allergy is a manifestation of our immune system. Due the strong anti oxidant property of garlic, the free radicals (which are responsible for so many ailments), are got rid off, and this action helps garlic in preventing seasonal allergies. However, rarely garlic itself can cause mild allergic reactions in some individuals.
6) Garlic Benefit on Cancer.
Garlic is also known for its anti cancer properties. Garlic contains Selenium which is a trace element found in the soil. Selenium is an anti oxidant which helps garlic to fight the free radicals in treating cancer.
7) Garlic Benefit on Pregnancy.
In mothers who have had a history of a low weight baby, research shows that consumption of garlic by the mother during pregnancy, helps to increase the weight of the baby to normal. Complications during pregnancy like pre eclampsia are also taken care of by consuming garlic during pregnancy.
Garlic Benefit on Erectile Dysfunction or Impotency.
There are two ways garlic benefits patients of impotency or erectile dysfunction. Due to its action on cholesterol, mentioned above, it increases blood circulation in the body. including to the penis. This improves erection. Garlic also stimulates the production of an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase which is required for a proper erection.
9) Garlic Benefit on Skin.
Due to the strong anti oxidant properties of selenium in garlic, garlic removes the free radicals which are responsible for skin wrinkles and aging of the skin. It should form one of the daily components of diet to improve skin complexion.
10) Garlic Benefit on High Blood Pressure and Heart.
Garlic supplements are prescribed for High Blood Pressure or hypertension to reduce blood pressure. It is ajoene, a chemical found in garlic, which keeps the blood thin and prevents formation of clots. This helps in reducing raised blood pressure and prevent heart disease and heart attack. The selenium in garlic reduces the LDL, the bad cholesterol and increases HDL, the good cholesterol which makes garlic beneficial to the heart.
11) Garlic Benefit on Iron Metabolism.
Garlic increases the production of an iron and protein compound called ferroportin. This is done by the active sulphur compound present in it. Ferroportin is the compound which makes iron available in the body when needed.
12) Garlic Benefit on Acne.
Due to its antibiotic properties, local application of mashed garlic works wonderfully well in treating pimples or acne. Team this up with eating two raw garlic cloves in the morning with breakfast.
13) Garlic Benefit on Losing Weight.
Garlic helps in weight loss in 2 ways:-
- Allisin present in garlic suppresses appetite which helps in losing weight.
- Garlic also stimulates secretion of adrenaline which increases metabolism and helps to burn calories.
14) Garlic Benefit on insect bites and skin warts
Apply crushed garlic on an insect bite wound or a skin wart for a speedy recovery.
Summary:-
Garlic is a naturally occurring herb and the benefits of garlic spread across diverse systems of our body. That garlic benefits us is time proven.
Advice :- Before starting to eat garlic everyday, you would do well to talk to your doctor and then start garlic, especially when you are pregnant or having health disorders like bleeding disorders, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.
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