Garlic is an important allium and a close relative of other plants like onion, chives, and leeks and is often used in savory dishes all over the world. Some cultures use garlic extensively in the diet while other cultures are slowly including garlic because of its many health benefits. Garlic is regularly used in Asia cuisines like Chinese food, Indian food, South East Asia food and also Arabic food. It is also used widely used in southern European food, Latin American food and also Northern African food. Garlic is a very common ingredient and most people who cook food regularly use fresh garlic in their cooking. It provides a specific flavor and savory taste to many dishes and can be stored easily in the pantry or the refrigerator. In Italy, savory dishes include garlic and in India garlic is generally used in a ginger garlic combination. Garlic is chopped, crushed, roasted, boiled and minced in different recipes and many times people even eat raw garlic early in the morning in its plain form because of its many health benefits. The following are some of the top health benefits of garlic:
Garlic Fights Diseases Including the Common Cold
Garlic has been known to help keep common diseases like common cold away. It boosts the immunity and reduces the sick days on average as it fights diseases like influenza and the common cough and cold. Studies have shown that regions, where garlic is predominantly used in the diet, tend to fight diseases like the common cold in the most effective way.
Garlic Provides Essential Nutrients
Garlic provides a wide range of essential nutrients to the body. It provides nutrients like proteins, fibers and essential fats which are helpful to the health. Some of the nutrients provided by adding garlic to the diet include Manganese, B vitamins, Vitamin C, calcium, iron, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
Benefits of Garlic
Beneficial for Heart Health
Garlic, in general, is very good for heart health. It reduces many risk factors that can cause problems for the heart. It helps to keep in check high blood pressure, high cholesterol and can prevent a heart attack. There are many types of heart diseases that are kept in check by including garlic in the diet. It also prevents atherosclerosis, which is build up of plaque in the arteries, narrowing the arteries causing health risks.
Prevents Alzheimer’s and Dementia
The antioxidants provided by garlic get rid of the damaging free radicals in the body. Garlic supplements reduce the oxidative stress and oxidative damage and this prevents degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Garlic Improves Bone Health
Bone health, particularly in aging women, is a major factor as the density and strength of the bones reduce with age. Eating garlic helps increase the estrogen levels in women which in turn improves bone health and prevents diseases like osteoporosis. Garlic also provides calcium which is important for bone health.
Garlic Prevents Some Cancers
Garlic is a great ingredient that can be added to the diet to fight against various forms of cancers. Garlic slows tumor growth and kills cancer cells in the body. Preventing and slowing down cancers like stomach cancer, colon cancer, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer. It also kills cancer cells that cause cancers like leukemia, esophagus cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Garlic should be, however, taken in moderate amounts to avoid side effects.
Benefits of Garlic
Garlic Detoxifies Heavy Metals
Heavy metal toxicity in the body can cause long term organ damage and there is a need to remove this type of toxicity in the body. Garlic reduces levels on many heavy metals in the body. Long term use of garlic reduces the lead levels in the body protecting the various organs in the body.
