Garlic is a popular ingredient in many dishes, but it also has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes. It has been used to treat a variety of ailments, from the common cold to more serious conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease.
In recent years, research has revealed that garlic may have even more health benefits than previously thought.
Here are the top 10 garlic health benefits:
1. Boosts Immune System: Garlic contains compounds that can help boost your immune system and fight off infections. Studies have shown that garlic can reduce the risk of catching colds and other illnesses by up to 70%.
2. Reduces Blood Pressure: Garlic can help lower blood pressure by reducing the amount of cholesterol in your body and improving circulation. It also helps relax blood vessels, which can reduce hypertension.
3. Improves Heart Health: Garlic is known to reduce bad cholesterol levels and improve overall heart health. It can also help prevent plaque buildup in arteries, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.
4. Prevents Cancer: Studies have found that garlic may be able to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as stomach and colon cancer. It may also be able to slow down the growth of existing tumors.
5. Fights Bacterial Infections: Garlic has natural antibacterial properties that make it effective against certain types of bacteria, such as E Coli and Staphylococcus aureus (staph). It can also help fight off fungal infections like athlete’s foot and yeast infections.
6. Reduces Inflammation: Garlic contains compounds that can reduce inflammation throughout the body, which is beneficial for people with arthritis or other inflammatory conditions like asthma or eczema.
7. Improves Digestion: Eating garlic regularly can help improve digestion by stimulating the production of digestive juices like bile and gastric acid, which helps break down food more efficiently in your stomach and intestines.
8. Detoxifies The Body: Garlic contains sulfur-containing compounds that act as natural detoxifiers for your body by helping remove toxins from your liver and kidneys more efficiently than other foods or supplements do on their own
9. Improves Bone Health: Eating garlic regularly may be able to increase bone density in postmenopausal women, which could help prevent osteoporosis later in life
10. Reduces Stress Levels: Studies have found that eating garlic regularly may be able to reduce stress levels by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain, which is responsible for regulating moods.