The health benefits of garlic are numerous, these are the top 10 reasons why you should add this tasty herb to your food.
Garlic has been used for centuries in different cultures not only to add amazing taste and smell to cuisine, but to treat different ailments as well.
An ancient Greek physician named Hippocrates said the world renowned words,
"Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food."
Even back then he knew the importance of what goes into your body and how it directly effects your health.
Guess which herb was among his most prescribed? That's right, Garlic.
1. Garlic is a potent remedy to certain ailments
Part of the Allium family (onions, leeks, and shallots), garlic carries many of the health benefits associated with it's siblings.
Just like ginger, garlic used for health benefits has been documented throughout ancient cultures. garlic-health-benefits1
Garlic was used as medicine in some famous periods in time inside empires such as the Chinese, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Babylonians. garlic-health-benefits2
Many compounds make up garlic giving it these health benefits. The most beneficial part of garlic is sulfur and allicin created when garlic is chopped. It's important to note that when garlic is freshly chopped the allicin remains only for a short time. So if you include garlic in your diet make sure it's fresh and recently chopped. garlic-health-benefits3
Among the many beneficial compounds in garlic, diallyl disulfide and s-allyl cysteine have been studied as important players in the overall health benefits of garlic. garlic-health-benefits4
2. Garlic is a nutrient rich power house
When grown, garlic forms what is called a bulb. Within this bulb is around 10 or more garlic cloves which is the part that is chopped up and consumed.
Each garlic clove contains an large amount of nutrients such as:
- Manganese: 2% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin B6: 2% of the DV
- Vitamin C: 1% of the DV
- Selenium: 1% of the DV
- Fiber: 0.06 grams
3. Garlic can fight illnesses
If you consume garlic as part of your daily diet, your immune system will love you, and you will love your immune system. Garlic supplements have shown in studies to significantly boost immune system functions.
In a 12 week study where subjects took garlic supplements, a major reduction by 63% in colds was observed against a placebo group. garlic-health-benefits6
Not only did the amount of colds decrease but the time that those who got sick decreased by 70% leading to faster recovery. Those in the garlic group who still got sick only did so for 1.5 days, while the placebo group had colds for an average of 5 days.
Another study showed similar results but this time used aged garlic extract versus a placebo group. garlic-health-benefits7
Garlic seems to have proven itself as a reigning champion when it comes to the cold seasons. Be sure to add garlic to your diet through food or supplementation to experience theses health benefits.
4. You may benefit from reduced blood pressure
World wide blood pressure has been increasing due to poor diet. This is a major factor in cardiovascular disease which is the worlds number one killer.
5. Lower Cholesterol
In studies garlic proved to help lower high cholesterol by around 15%. In these studies garlic was taken in supplement form. garlic-health-benefits10, garlic-health-benefits11
A more detailed look on garlics effect on cholesterol shows even more promise. In studies garlic lowered the low density lipoprotein (LDL) which is known as the bad cholesterol that leads to heart disease and plaque build up.
The high density lipoprotein (HDL) which is the good cholesterol, was not effected by the garlic. These results show even more promise as garlic seems to lower only the harmful cholesterol levels while leaving the beneficial cholesterol alone. garlic-health-benefits12, garlic-health-benefits13
6. Brain Disease Prevention
Free radicals created from oxidation in the body are part of every day life. From environment stressors to the food you eat, oxidation is a part of living. But this process leads to cell damage and premature aging. In excess this also leads to the development of disease and your brain is no exception.
Luckily certain foods like garlic contain large amounts of antioxidants which help protect the body from these free radicals. garlic-health-benefits14
Garlic supplements show promise as they decrease oxidative stress in studies as well as increase antioxidants in individuals. garlic-health-benefits15
The compounds in garlic may be able to help prevent the risks of developing certain brain illnesses like dementia and Alzheimers as well as protect the rest of your body from developing life threatening diseases. garlic-health-benefits16
7. Garlic may increase your lifespan
All of the health benefits of garlic listed earlier may add up to a longer life. Decreasing your risks for certain diseases and boosting your immune system to fight off illness is a great step to live longer. Adding garlic into your daily diet will help protect your body long term and may be able to add some years to your life.
8. Improve your athletic performance
Dating back to ancient times garlic was consumed by olympic athletes in Greece to help increase their performance. garlic-health-benefits17
Some studies today support this theory. Humans with cardiovascular disease took garlic oil in a study. Over 6 weeks these subjects experienced a 12% decrease in peak heart rates and had an overall increased exercise capacity. garlic-health-benefits18
Fatigue may be reduced with the intake of garlic. Some studies indicate that this could be true when looking to increase endurance. garlic-health-benefits19
Overall it seems the Greeks had it right even in the ancient olympic days.
9. Detox heavy metals
The compound sulfur found in garlic has shown promise in preventing organ damage when too many heavy metals accrue in the body.
In a study that included employees who worked at a car battery manufacturer, found that they had been exposed to large amounts of lead. These employees then took garlic daily for 4 weeks. The results concluded a 19% decrease in the amount of lead in the blood. The common clinical signs of heavy metal toxicity also decreased (blood pressure and headaches). Garlic proved to be more beneficial in treating heavy metal toxicity than the modern drug D-penicillamine. garlic-health-benefits20
10. Bone Health And Arthritis
Garlic has been shown to decrease bone loss. In a study where mice ingested garlic, it was shown that the garlic prevented bone loss by an increase in estrogen in the females. It did not increase estrogen in the males. garlic-health-benefits21
A study done in women concluded that daily garlic extract can reduce estrogen deficiency. garlic-health-benefits22
Foods in the Allium family like onions and garlic have shown positive results in treating osteoarthritis.
Garlic may be good for women looking to decrease bone loss and anyone looking to treat arthritis. garlic-health-benefits23
Conclusion
Overall garlic has many nutritional health benefits that could help prevent certain disease risks and treat ailments. Add this tasty herb to your cuisine or look into getting a garlic supplement for easy daily ingestion.
The benefits of garlic can be helpful to many people and should be considered as a great addition to a healthy diet.
Always consult your doctor first before adding anything to your diet, especially supplements as dosages can vary and certain medications can interact with different herbs.
Read More Nutritional Blogs On Our Discover Tab
Helios Supplements
Other Articles