Garlic is a popular ingredient enjoyed for both its unique flavor and powerful health benefits.
Garlic along with onions and leeks are all plants that belong to the Allium family. It contains allicin, which is a compound with numerous health benefits including antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. That does not even count the vitamins and minerals found in the nutritious seasoning. You can find garlic in cloves, paste, powders, supplements, extracts, and oils. However, to reap the full health benefits of garlic, you should consume it in its most natural, raw state. The more you cook it, the more it loses medicinal qualities.
Here are the health benefits of garlic
- Improves cholesterol levels, which may lower the risk of heart disease
According to research garlic supplements can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, particularly in those who have high cholesterol. HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides do not seem to be affected.
- Garlic can reduce blood pressure
Cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes are responsible for more deaths than almost any other condition.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most important factors that may lead to these diseases.
Studies have found garlic supplements to have a significant impact on reducing blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
- Garlic contains loads of nutrients but has very few calories
According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, garlic is low in calories and rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese. It also contains trace amounts of various other nutrients.
- Protect against illness, including the common cold
Garlic supplements are known to boost the function of the immune system.
Studies show that garlic supplements may help prevent and reduce the severity of illnesses like the flu and common cold, but more research needs to be done before any conclusions can be made.
- Garlic may help you live longer
And last but not least and although it may sound crazy but garlic has the potential effects to help you live longer.
But given the beneficial effects on important risk factors like blood pressure, it makes sense that garlic could help you live longer.
The fact that it can fight infectious diseases is also an important factor, because these are common causes of death, especially in the elderly or people with dysfunctional immune systems (23)
Also see: Health benefits: Why you should continue eating oranges
