The Amazing Health Benefits of Garlic

0
689

Overview

Garlic is known for its pungent flavor. It is the most widely used food flavoring.

Allicin is the chemical in garlic that causes a strong smell. Allicin is also the cause of many of the therapeutic effects of garlic.

Many people use garlic to treat and prevent a variety of medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes.

Research on the effects of garlic on human health is still in the early stages. The National Health Institute (NHS) has proven the following health benefits of garlic.

Proven Health Benefits of Garlic

If you came looking to find out some of the amazing health benefits of garlic you came to the right place. There are many benefits, keep reading for 12 of the most impressive ones…

Reducing Blood Pressure

Eating garlic increases the level of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps smooth and relax the inner muscles of your blood vessels. Relaxation of these muscles causes the blood vessel to dilate.

Taking 600 to 1500 mg of garlic is equivalent to taking Atenolol to reduce high blood pressure. Fortunately, garlic does not have side effects, while Atenolol has some annoying side effects.

Preventing Heart Disease

According to Emory University School of Medicine, diallyl trisulfide in garlic oil protects the heart after a heart attack and during cardiac surgery. The anti-oxidant properties of garlic help lower cholesterol levels. The anti-inflammatory properties of garlic help prevent the formation and progress of atherosclerotic plaques.

Ajoene molecules of garlic help increase the number of blood platelets. Blood platelets help prevent excessive bleeding by activating the blood clotting process. Excessive bleeding can cause death.

Cancer prevention

According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer has the leading mortality rate in the US. It is the abnormal growth of cells in a body part or organ. The common types of cancers are leukemia, lung and bronchus cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and endometrial cancer.

People who include garlic in their diet have fifty percent lower chances of developing cancer. Garlic strengthens the body’s immunity. Daily consumption of garlic helps prevent prostate cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and cancer of the esophagus.

Ulcer prevention

Garlic controls the level of H. pylori bacteria in your gut. H. pylori bacteria is the primary cause of sores in the stomach and the upper parts of the small intestines. Eating garlic on a daily helps get rid of this bacteria.

Combating Common Cold

The antiviral and antimicrobial properties of garlic help relieve the annoying symptoms of the common cold. A high dosage of garlic reduces the length of the flu or cold. Daily consumption of garlic reduces the frequency of common colds.

Treating and Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is the primary cause of Dementia. Memory loss and decline in language, thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and other conditions affecting a patient’s daily performance are the main symptoms of Dementia. Approximately 5.8 million Americans are struggling with the annoying symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US.

Fortunately, regular garlic consumption can prevent and suppress the annoying symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. A high dose of garlic supplements increases the anti-oxidant enzymes that protect cells against oxidative damage. People who include garlic in their diet have a low risk of getting Alzheimer’s Disease.

Increasing Athletic Performance

Garlic reduces exercise-induced fatigue. Athletes who regularly take garlic have better exercise capacity and a reduced peak heart rate. Including garlic in your diet will increase your endurance.

Detoxification

Raw garlic contains sulphur, which is essential in detoxification. Garlic produces detoxification enzymes that filter toxins from your blood. A long term consumption of garlic prevents your body organs against heavy metal toxicity.

Heavy metal toxicity is the accumulation of toxins, such as mercury.

The anti-inflammatory properties of garlic reduce cholesterol and lower high blood pressure helping cleanse the whole body.

High nutritional value

Raw garlic is incredibly nutritious. It contains:

Vitamin B1 – It helps the body turn food into energy

Vitamin B6 – It helps in neurogenesis and creation of red blood cells

Vitamin C – It helps in the absorption of iron and formation of collagen

Fiber – Prevents constipation and promote regular bowel movements

Manganese – It helps in blood clotting, bone formation, and reducing inflammations

Potassium – It prevents osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and stroke

Sodium – It helps in the transmission of nerve impulses and maintaining cellular osmotic pressure

Selenium – It has anti-oxidant properties that prevent cell damage

Copper – It helps in absorption of iron and formation of red blood cells

Iron – It helps in the absorption of oxygen in the lungs

Phosphorus – Formation of bones and teeth

Prevention of Bone Loss

Garlic increases the level of estrogen hormone in women. A deficiency of estrogen in the body causes osteoporosis. Estrogen levels depreciate during and after menopause leading to increased bone loss. Including garlic in your daily meals will increase your bone density.

Protects Skin and Hair

Garlic slows down the depreciation of collagen. Collagen is responsible for the elasticity of the skin. People who regularly consume garlic are less likely to have wrinkles at an early age. It also prevents and treats athlete’s foot, ringworm, fungal infections, and eczema. Rubbing your scalp with garlic oil prevents hair loss.

Prevention and Treatment of Insomnia

Thirty-five percent of US adults are struggling with insomnia. The major causes of insomnia are stress, depression, and anxiety. Patients are using sleeping pills to suppress the symptoms of insomnia.

Unfortunately, sleeping pills have side effects. Fortunately, garlic is a natural remedy for insomnia. Putting garlic under your pillow will combat the symptoms of insomnia. Other benefits of placing garlic under your pillow at night include:

It acts as a mosquito repellent – The odor smell of garlic is toxic to mosquito and other insects such as spider.

It clears blocked nasal passage – Allicin thins the mucus that might be blocking the nasal passage. Improved breathing makes it easier to fall asleep.

To increase the effectiveness of garlic when using it under your pillow to deal with insomnia, use a new clove of garlic every night. Use a washcloth to wrap the clove to avoid staining your bed sheets. A washcloth also helps prevent skin contact with crushed garlic that may negatively affect your skin.