Garlic. It melts on your tongue like butter when roasted in olive oil. It tastes spicy and harsh when chopped and uncooked. It may relieve muscular pain when applied as an oil. Garlic may also be used to brew tea. Garlic, no matter how you consume it, has several health advantages in addition to being tasty!
Dietitian Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD, shares six unexpected health benefits of this herb-like vegetable.
Is garlic nutritious?
Yes, garlic has several health advantages. “Allicin, an organic sulphur molecule, gives garlic its intense fragrance,” Jeffers explains. “Due to this chemical, garlic is also a beneficial addition to your diet.”
Immune system booster
Who knew eating more garlic might help strengthen your immunity? According to one research including 41,000 women between the ages of 55 and 69, those who ate garlic, fruits, and vegetables on a regular basis had a 35% decreased risk of colon cancer.
It has anti-inflammatory properties.
Garlic oil has been found in studies to be anti-inflammatory. Rubbing garlic oil on aching and swollen joints or muscles can help. It is even recommended by the Arthritis Foundation to help reduce cartilage degradation caused by arthritis.
Enhances cardiac health
Garlic may also benefit your arteries and blood pressure, according to research.
Red blood cells, according to researchers, convert the sulphur in garlic into hydrogen sulphide gas. This causes our blood arteries to dilate, making it simpler to control our blood pressure.
However, before discontinuing your blood pressure medication, check your doctor to determine whether adding more garlic to your diet might be good for you.
Skin becomes clearer.
Garlic’s antibacterial and antioxidant qualities may help cleanse your face by destroying acne-causing germs. According to one research, applying raw garlic to pimples might help them go away.
However, be warned that garlic may induce a burning feeling on your skin. Before using this approach, see your dermatologist first, particularly if you are using any other skin care treatments.
It safeguards your food.
Fresh garlic has antibacterial qualities that may destroy microorganisms that cause food poisonings, such as salmonella and E.coli. However, garlic should not be used as a replacement for adequate food cleanliness and handling.
Athlete’s foot treatment
Garlic is also effective against fungus. If you have an athlete’s foot, immerse your feet in garlic water or put raw garlic on your feet to kill the fungus that causes itching.
Is it preferable to consume garlic raw or cooked?
Taking advantage of the advantages of garlic might be difficult at times. For example, research associating garlic with enhanced immunity discovered that the advantages came from raw and cooked garlic, rather than supplements.
Garlic’s pH balance may be altered by heating it or incorporating it into a dish. The enzymes in allicin need a few minutes to activate, so set it aside after you mince, crush, or slice it.
“The largest benefit will come from raw garlic,” Jeffers explains. “However, if you must cook it, do not heat it past 140 degrees Fahrenheit” (60 degrees Celsius). Because higher temperatures destroy the allicin, add garlic to your dishes when they’re nearly done.”
Should you use garlic pills on a daily basis?
Before beginning any supplement, particularly a daily dose, ask your doctor. This is particularly true with garlic supplements.
Garlic supplements may sometimes induce headaches, weariness, appetite loss, muscular pains, disorientation, and allergic responses such as asthma attacks or skin rashes.
Garlic supplements may boost the action of blood thinners, making it even more difficult for your blood to clot.
Several words of warning
Garlic may also cause skin irritation. “You may also get skin stinging if you handle large quantities of fresh or dried garlic,” Jeffers explains. “Wear cooking gloves to prevent garlic-induced skin sores.”
And, despite garlic’s many health advantages, don’t overdo it in your diet. Overdoing it might result in stomach trouble, bloating, diarrhoea, body odour, and foul breath. Please pass the mints after supper!