17 Good Health Benefits of Garlic on your Body

Allium sativum, also widely and commonly known as Garlic, tagged by different names depend in every country but in places like in some province in Philippines many called it Bawang or Ahos.

As a member of the Allium family of vegetables, garlic shares some nutritional benefits with onions and leeks, which are also members of this Allium family. 

 Garlic health benefits ranks second to turmeric benefits in the amount of research backing this superfood. 

Garlic is arranged in a head, called a “bulb,” which averages about 2 inches in height and diameter and consists of numerous small separate cloves.

Intensely aromatic and flavorful, it’s the organic sulfur compound allicin in garlic that gives it its pungent smell. It has been used as a food-flavoring agent for many years, as well as in traditional and alternative medicines.

Garlic is an herb that is very low in calories, saturated fats, and sodium. It contains a number of useful minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, calcium, and iron, as well as trace minerals like iodine, sulfur, and chlorine.

Garlic also ranks as an excellent source of B-vitamins (folate, thiamine, niacin, and B-6), and vitamins C, A, and K and a good source of selenium. 

Garlic is one of the rare dietary sources of organic compounds, allicin, allisatin 1, and allisatin 2.

Garlic contains compounds with potent medicinal properties making it ideal as a healthy addition to your diet.

It is believed that eating raw garlic maximizes the nutrients and healthful benefits it possesses.

 

LET’S POINT OUT IN DETAILS THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF GARLIC: 

1. IMPROVES HEART HEALTH 

Garlic is thought to have significant cardio–protective properties, which help prevent diseases like atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, hypertension, and more.

2. IMPROVES BONE HEALTH 

Garlic are thought to impact estrogen levels in menopausal women, reducing the risk of osteoarthritis. They may also minimize bone loss and improve overall bone health.

(See also: 6 Major Foods To Avoid If You Have Arthritis) 

3. IMPROVES DIGESTION 

Inclusion of raw garlic cloves in your diet aids digestive problems even reduce the inflammation or irritation of the gastric canal. Garlic helps clear up most intestinal problems like dysentery, diarrhea, and colitis. Garlic not only enhances digestion but also helps relieve stomach gas.

4. BOOST IMMUNITY 

Garlic contains phytonutrients that help reduce oxidative stress, thereby, strengthening your immunity. Garlic also reduces fatigue, as well as increases energy and longevity.

5. EYE CARE 

Garlic is rich in nutrients like selenium, quercetin, and vitamin C, all of which contribute to eye health and help with eye infections and inflammation.

6. HEALS WOUND 

Garlic acts as an effective herbal remedy for the infected wound. Place 2 crushed cloves on the infected area to get instant relief.

7. REGULATES BLOOD SUGAR 

Eating raw garlic cloves significantly reduced blood sugar levels and may prove to be a boon to those suffering from diabetes or at a higher risk of developing diabetes.

(See also: 5 Natural Remedies to Control Diabetes Better) 

8. REDUCES HYPERTENSION 

Garlic is an herbal ingredient often used for lowering high blood pressure. When exposed to high levels of pressure, a substance in the body known as nitric oxide relaxes the blood vessels and causes them to dilate. It also fights against thrombosis by reducing platelet aggregation. 

(See also: Must Not Be Eaten Food To Avoid High Blood Pressure)

9. LOWERS CHOLESTEROL LEVELS 

Raw garlic is rich in the allicin compound effectively prevents LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidizing.

(See also: Signs of Too Much Cholesterol )

10. AIDS COLD AND COUGHS 

Eating garlic cloves may lessen the severity of common cold and cough symptoms.

11. PREVENT ACNE

Garlic can be used as a home remedy for acne scars and even preventing the onset of acne. Garlic is an effective skin cleanser and an antibiotic substance that helps resolve a number of skin conditions, including skin rashes, psoriasis, cold sores, and blisters. 

(See also: 6 Great Food Items To Clear Your Skin)

12. NEUROPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES 

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of raw garlic may help prevent future neurodegenerative diseases.

(See also: Foods to Supercharge Your Brain)

13. PREVENTS HEAVY METAL POISONING 

High doses of garlic may prevent organ damage caused by heavy metals. The sulfur compounds in garlic drastically reduce lead levels in the blood.

14. RELIEVES ASTHMA 

Boiled garlic cloves are effective in reducing the symptoms of asthma. 

15. INCREASES LIBIDO 

Garlic has an aphrodisiac and libido-inducing properties, so it can be utilized as an effective rejuvenator for sex. People who tend to overindulge in sexual activities should consume garlic to protect themselves from fatigue.

16. PREVENTS NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER 

Garlic, rich in S-ally-mercapto cysteine (SAMC) and antioxidants, can help prevent fatty liver,

17. REDUCES UTI AND KIDNEY INFECTIONS 

Garlic prevents the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogen responsible for recurring urinary tract infections (UTI) and kidney infections. So, consuming garlic regularly may reduce the occurrence of these infections. 

(See also: 7 Common Causes of Urinary Tract infections)

Other benefits of garlic include aiding for weight loss, anticancer potential, antibacterial and anti-parasitic effects, prevents peptic ulcers, aids splinters and prevents hair loss, among others. There’s a long list of health benefits of garlic, making it ideal addition in your diet.

USES AND RECIPE TIPS FOR GARLIC

1. Can be consumed raw. You can add raw garlic to recipes that are sautéed, roasted or baked. Here are some garlic recipes you can enjoy.

• Garlic Mushroom Loaf
• Roasted Garlic Clove Chicken
• Slow Cooker Braised Garlic Spareribs
• Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti 
• Bacon Wrapped Filet Steaks Topped with Roasted Garlic Butter
• Lime Garlic Shrimp
• Buttered Garlic Shrimp
• Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

(See also: How to make Garlic Bread?)

1. Can be used in cooking by adding it to various dishes to lessen the potent taste. You can use it in salads, soups, and stews, and on vegetable, fish, and meat. You can try these tasty recipes. 

• Garlic Shrimp Salad
• Garlic Soup with Croutons 
• Garlic Flank Steak
• Garlic Shrimp Chiles de Arbol
• Grilled Lobster with Lemon and Garlic Infused Oil
• Sizzling Garlic Chicken Gravy
• Bok Choy Chicken with Garlic Sauce
• Herbed Pork Chops Garlic Butter

(See also: How to make Chili Garlic Oil?)

1. Can be boiled and used as healthy juice combined to milks or lemons.
2. Can be applied directly to affected areas. 
3. Can be used as essential ingredient in various toothpaste and mouthwashes as it helps prevent tooth cavity and oral bacteria

One should keep a close tab on the proper use of garlic that is its use of different preparations available, dose, duration and its interaction with generic drugs.

Excess intake of garlic may cause irritation in the digestive system. Another drawback is its pungent smell and taste that leaves bad breath, so be aware if consuming it in excess.

Talk to your doctor before consuming raw garlic if you are taking any medications or any other ongoing health concerns.

(Read next: 8 Health Benefits of Onions That You May Not Know)

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that all of the information on this website is based on research and is provided for informational purposes only. Visitor who either use this Site and rely on any information do so at their own risk.

 

References:

• Worlds Healthiest Foods. “Garlic”.
• Jeffers, Laura. MEd, RD, LD. 2015. Cleveland Clinic. “6 Surprising Ways Garlic Boosts Your Health”. 23 February
• Dr. Josh Axe. DC, DMN, CNS. 2017. Dr. Axe. “7 Raw Garlic Benefits for Fighting Disease”. 5 January
• Leech, Joe. MS. 2018. Health Line. “11 Proven Health Benefits of Garlic” 28 June

Nagdeve, Meenakshi. Organic Facts. “25 Interesting Benefits of Raw Garlic”.