What is Garlic?
Garlic is a Bulbous herb vegetable and it belongs to the Allium family, scientifically named as Allium sativum. The cloves of garlic are firm and are covered in a thick paper-like case. You need to detach the cloves from the bulb and peel them to use garlic with various food. Garlic has a pungent taste and gets mellow when cooked and adds an excellent flavor to the food. Since garlic contains an organic sulfur compound called allicin, gives a pungent smell and makes it a healthy addition to your diet. There are also different types of garlic like silverskin garlic, artichoke garlic, softneck and hardneck garlic available.
There are numerous health benefits of Garlic that include treating cold & cough, joint pain, reversing heart disease, improving diabetics condition, improves skin and hair health and also fights various forms of cancer.
Here are Interesting health benefits of Garlic
Garlic Maintains Blood Pressure
The presence of S-allyl cysteine, a bioactive sulfur compound present in the garlic extract helps in lowering the blood pressure. Lack of sulfur is also one of the reasons that most of the people have high blood pressure. So taking garlic in your diet can help to stabilize the blood pressure.
Garlic Reduces Bad Cholesterol
It has been found that the garlic extract supplement helps to reduce LDL cholesterol i.e bad cholesterol by around 6mg/dL. Many studies show that regular intake of garlic can reduce LDL cholesterol, but the cholesterol-reducing effect may be temporary.
Garlic Prevents Cardiovascular diseases
Many evidence says that garlic helps to prevent almost all cardiovascular disease. It lowers the risk as well as helps to prevent cardiovascular disease by reducing the LDL cholesterol, serum triglyceride, and lipid. They also have a positive impact on your arteries and blood pressure.
Garlic Helps in Relieving Intestinal Ailments
Improper digestive system or an upset stomach can make your daily life dull. Taking garlic in your diet provides a great relief and fights against intestinal problems. Garlic has an antibacterial effect and the ability to differentiate good and bad bacteria in the intestine. It can also be effective against stomach infections.
Garlic Helps to Fight Diabetes
Due to the unhealthy lifestyle, many of the people are having diabetes. A study shows that consuming garlic could help to reduce the levels of blood sugar in people those who are suffering from type 2 diabetes and also offers other benefits in the treatment of the metabolic condition. It is also found that garlic supplements or extracts offer more benefits to diabetic patients and regulates blood glucose.
Garlic Helps to treat Asthma, Cold and Flu
Garlic has been used by many people to treat common cold, flu, and asthma. It is found that it has the ability to delay hypersensitivity associated with asthma and can help to treat cold. Garlic provides great relief from cold and flu. Taking 2-3 raw garlic a day will help you to relieve from the stuffed nose and cures cold and builds immunity of your body.
Garlic is Good for Eye Care
It is interesting that many of the studies shows garlic is helpful in improving eye health. The presence of antimicrobial property of garlic helps in fighting against the microbes that are responsible for causing eyesight threatening keratitis. Consuming 3-4 garlic a day can help to protect your eyes.
Garlic Contains Anti-parasitic and Anti-bacterial property
Garlic is one of the best vegetables that has incredible medicinal properties. It contains anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic property that helps your children with tapeworm infections and the garlic extracts help to obviate cavity-causing bacteria.
Garlic Helps to Fight Cancer
Diallyl sulfide present in the garlic helps to inhibit oxidative stress and the presence of selenium contains cancer-fighting properties. The intake of garlic regularly in your food prevents DNA mutation, metastasis and rapid growth of uncontrolled cells. Studies show that garlic lowered the tumor formation by 33% and stomach cancer by 52%. So along with a good healthy lifestyle also make a habit to consume garlic with your foods to prevent the risk of cancer.
Garlic is Best For Healthy Skin and Hair
The stimulating properties of garlic helps to protect your skin from the impact of free radicals. It also slows down the collagen depletion that results in loss of elasticity in aging skin. When garlic applied topically over the skin really helps with fungal infections and provides relief from eczema. It also helps you with ringworms and athlete’s foot. The antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties of garlic helps you to get rid of acne-causing bacteria. It is a surprise that applying or massaging garlic extract on your scalp will help you to stay away from scalp infection, prevent hair loss and even reverse hair loss.
Note: We have seen the health benefits of garlic, but you also need to take a note on the use of garlic as it can also cause discomfort.
Overdoing of garlic can cause upset stomach, diarrhea, body odor, bloating, feeling of fullness, bad breath, etc. It also causes stinging feeling on the skin and to some people, garlic extract or garlic supplements can cause fatigue, muscle aches, appetite loss, dizziness, and skin rashes.
Disclaimer: The article is solely for informational purposes. It cannot be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. The content is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional.
Ayush Henry is an ENFP who is a health enthusiast and prolific copywriter. He is a professional soft skills trainer known for his boundless energy and enthusiasm. Ayush holds MBA in hospitality and a Master of Arts in English. He indulged himself in creative writing and has been crafting online and print educational materials since 2010. Ayush keeps himself on the path to health and fitness through cardio exercises, jogging and regular workout. His hobbies are photography, painting and exploring new places via road trips on his cruiser.
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