5 Surprising Health Benefits of Garlic
Research supports that garlic lowers blood pressure, aids diabetes management, and reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.
Garlic (Allium sativum) is an herbal plant that through the ages has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes. The active ingredient to blame for the smell and taste of garlic – allicin – rapidly breaks down to the antioxidant sulfenic acid that neutralizes damaging free radicals in the body. In addition, the allicin has antimicrobial properties to ward off infections.
Allicin is Antimicrobial
Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, with the antiviral component helping to lessen and defend against colds. Some advice for home treatment at the onset of regular colds is to crush two daily cloves of garlic – to release allicin – and, to avoid garlic-breath, spread the cloves on sandwiches or mix in applesauce. Garlic Capsules are also available.
Garlic (allicin) has antibacterial action against, for example, Helicobacter pylori – the bacterium responsible for most ulcers and stomach inflammation. The research reported in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found the antibacterial result in the lab with fresh garlic or capsules. Regarding antifungal properties, allicin heals, for instance, the common athlete’s foot.
Garlic Lowers Blood Pressure
Proponents of garlic have maintained over the years that the herb benefits heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol, lowering triglycerides and raising HDL cholesterol. Nevertheless, in recent studies, results showed there was no effect on any of the three blood measurements. However, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a study found that garlic juice relaxes blood vessels that results in increased blood flow with a resultant lowered blood pressure.
Garlic Aids Diabetes
Allicin helps diabetics manage their disease by decreasing a dangerous build-up of blood glucose and increased levels of insulin. Type 2 diabetics do not make enough insulin to control glucose, or cell receptors refuse what is made. So increasing levels of insulin lets diabetics have more management control.
Researchers are excited about a possible oral diabetes drug based on two natural substances found in garlic – allicin, and vanadium. In a mice study, both type l and type 2 diabetics were helped. Type 1 patients must currently use daily injections of insulin. Human clinical trials are in the works.
Garlic Blocks Cancer
In animal and lab studies, scientists find garlic has a preventive effect on stomach and colorectal cancers. Reported in the Journal of Nutrition, a review of 19 studies found the results. In the Journal of Nutrition, a review of the previous 10 years concluded that there is reliable scientific evidence that garlic reduces the risk of colorectal cancer in animals and humans.
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Garlic Enhances Health
There is scientific proof that the wonder herb garlic reduces blood pressure, benefits diabetes, and decreases the risk of colorectal cancer – although more clinical trials need to be done. Garlic is a potent antimicrobial for use with, for example, colds, athlete’s foot, and ulcers.
Instead of waiting for a cold to arrive, eat fresh garlic or take garlic capsules (available in odor-free) regularly for general health, just as one would take a multivitamin. Experts say to let crushed garlic sit for 10 minutes before cooking, to let inactive chemicals become active.
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Garlic Helps with Weight Loss
Garlic offers several benefits when incorporated into a healthy and balanced diet. It is loaded with vitamin B6, Vitamin C, fiber, manganese, and calcium – – all of which play a major role in weight management. Just about any form of garlic offers dieters many benefits. If you enjoy the taste of garlic, use it liberally in your food.
Garlic Safety Issues
This is an educational article only. Because garlic is anti-clotting, it works like aspirin or drugs in thinning blood. Garlic can interfere with HIV/AIDS medicine. Do not use if allergic to sulfur. Garlic can affect diabetes medicines. See your health care provider before taking garlic capsules.
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[…] you are putting your muscles through a lot. While this is certainly a good thing for your overall health, you may find that at the end of the day, you have a buildup of lactic acid causing you to feel […]
I absolutely adore garlic and there is no meal I don’t include garlic. Garlic is very good to build your immune system as well.
I am the exact same way! I put garlic in everything!
We do realyl love to use garlic in our cooking, but we did not know that it had so many many benefits x
Garlic is a miracle worker (almost). LOL
I think all veggies are so beneficial so it’s no surprise to me that Garlic has all these amazing benefits. I need to eat it more often!
I couldn’t agree more! #eatmoreveggies
I am aware of garlic’s effect on blood pressure but I am so glad that it also has a positive effect in helping maintain healthy blood glucose levels. That is good news for diabetics like me. I will talk to my doctor if I could take garlic capsules too.
I love that you are checking with your doctor first to see if garlic capsules would be right for you!
I love love love garlic and this post made me love it more. Thank you so much for sharing it!
You are welcome. I am a garlic lover as well and as so glad that it has all of the extra benefits along with tasting amazing!
I really appreciate this article even down to your disclaimer at the end! I love to cook with garlic, so this was helpful to me.
I am glad you enjoyed it!
I absolutely love me some garlic and add it to everything except dessert. My granny used to drink garlic tea but even I draw a line at that lol even though I can chew it raw.
I don’t know if I could drink garlic either. LOL.
I already knew garlic was really good for you but I didn’t know it was THIS GOOD! Its my favourite ingredient to use in my cooking, so glad it has many health benefits too.
Same for me! I love garlic and am so pleased it has so many health benefits!
I love garlic so much. It is really amazing how can it help our bodies. Thanks for sharing!
I love garlic too! You are welcome.
This is so true. I know of someone who had a big tummy and lost so much weight simply by chewing garlic and ginger daily— as often as possible.
I need to try that!
I LOVE garlic so it makes me happy that I’m eating something all the time that actually can benefit my body! Thanks for passing along this knowledge.
You are most welcome. I am a garlic lover as well.
I love the info you share here!
It’s so great to know so many benefits from garlic. In my country there is black garlic that many people say it contains more nutrition than the normal one. Perhaps you should research about that.
I love black garlic but haven’t looked into its health benefits yet. Thanks for the tip!
Wow I’ve never heard this before. My mom has a blood pressure I’m sure garlic can help to get Lowers Blood Pressure Awesome tips.
I hope it works for her. Make sure she checks with her doctor to see what will work best for her.
Couldn’t agree more! Garlic really has powerful benefits. And the way it amplifies the flavours of dishes is great.
Garlic is a win-win! LOL
These are huge health benefits! And I love garlic–my whole family does. We are also almost never sick, not even with colds. So now I wonder how much that has to do with this or with life in general. Good stuff to think about!
So glad that your family is healthy! Keep on doing whatever you are doing as it seems to work for you all!
Garlic is so yummy in recipes, I didn’t realize it also had so many health values! I’m going to keep using it all the time when I cook. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome!
wow. i had no idea that garlic helped with weight loss. so many great and yes surprising benefits. thanks for sharing your list.
You are welcome! Garlic is truly amazing.
Oh wow! I didn’t realize that garlic was so healthy. I put it in everything just for the flavor. It’s nice to know I’m actually doing something healthy for myself, as well.
Yes! Garlic is amazing in every way!