Garlic is one of the oldest and most popular products used both in cooking and folk medicine. Its unique flavor and aroma make it an indispensable ingredient in many dishes, and a wide range of useful properties makes garlic a real natural medicine. Let’s consider what garlic is useful and how its regular use promotes health.
Benefits of garlic in the diet
Garlic stimulates the production of gastric juice and bile, which improves digestion and absorption of nutrients. Its antimicrobial properties help fight pathogenic bacteria that contribute to gastritis and ulcers. Garlic helps to normalize the intestinal microflora, creating favorable conditions for the growth of beneficial bacteria. This is especially important for the prevention of dysbacteriosis.
Garlic – a barrier to disease
Garlic is a natural immunomodulator. It is rich in allicin, a substance with powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Regular consumption of garlic helps the body fight infections more effectively, preventing colds and flu. Garlic stimulates the production of white blood cells, which play a key role in the body’s defense against pathogens.
Benefits of garlic for the cardiovascular system
Garlic helps regulate blood pressure due to its ability to dilate blood vessels, which makes it beneficial for people with hypertension. Garlic is beneficial for heart and vascular health. It lowers cholesterol (LDL) levels and increases (HDL) levels, which helps prevent the development of atherosclerosis. The active compounds in garlic help thin the blood, improving its fluidity, reducing the risk of blood clots. This is especially important for the prevention of heart attack and stroke.
Natural antioxidant
The vitamins and minerals found in garlic promote the health of skin, hair and nails, helping to repair them and protect them from harmful environmental factors. Garlic’s antioxidant properties help protect the body’s cells from free radical damage, slowing the aging process and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
Here are some interesting and surprising facts about garlic:
- Ancient History of Use: Garlic has been used by humans for over 5,000 years. It was known in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome, where it was considered not only a seasoning but also a medicine. The Egyptians used garlic to promote the health of slaves working on the construction of the pyramids.
- Medicinal properties: Garlic is known for its medicinal properties. It has antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it an effective remedy for colds, infections and inflammation.
- Garlic as a natural antibiotic: Garlic contains allicin, a powerful chemical compound that has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. Allicin is released when garlic is chewed or chopped, making it effective against various infections.
- Prevention of Heart Disease: Regular consumption of garlic can help lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It helps to relax blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
- Immune System Support: Garlic helps boost the immune system due to its antioxidant properties, helping to fight viruses and bacteria, especially during the cold season.
- Natural insect repellent: The odor of garlic effectively repels mosquitoes and other insects. In some countries, garlic is used as a natural insect repellent.
- Helps with detoxification: Garlic helps to eliminate toxins from the body. It can support liver function and improve detoxification by removing heavy metals such as mercury from the body.
- Reducing cancer risk: Studies have shown that garlic may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as stomach and colon cancer, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Garlic and aging: Garlic contains substances that help fight the aging process. It stimulates the production of antioxidants in the body, which helps protect cells from damage and slows down the aging process.
- Effect on digestion: Garlic helps improve digestion by stimulating the production of gastric juice and maintaining a balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This promotes better digestion and prevents upset.
- Garlic in cosmetology: Garlic is used in folk cosmetology to fight skin inflammation and acne. Garlic’s antibacterial properties help heal wounds and inflammation.
- Strong odor: Opposite to the sweet flavors of most spices, garlic has a very strong odor that is not always pleasant. However, this odor disappears if you eat parsley or drink milk after a meal.
Other benefits of garlic for the body:
- Cancer prevention. Garlic contains sulfur compounds that reduce the risk of certain cancers, including stomach, colon, and breast cancer. These compounds help detoxify the body, helping to eliminate carcinogens and prevent DNA damage to cells.
- Joint benefits. Garlic’s anti-inflammatory properties make it beneficial for people suffering from joint diseases such as arthritis. Regular consumption of garlic helps reduce inflammation and joint pain.
- Reducing blood sugar levels. Garlic has a positive effect on blood sugar levels, which makes it beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes. It improves cell sensitivity to insulin and lowers glucose levels, preventing sugar spikes.
- Respiratory system benefits. Garlic is effectively used to treat and prevent diseases of the respiratory system. It helps with bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma due to its expectorant and antimicrobial properties. Garlic strengthens the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, creating a barrier to infections.
- Natural Detox. Garlic helps cleanse the body of toxins and heavy metals such as lead and mercury. This makes it especially valuable for people exposed to harmful chemicals at work or in the home.
- Benefits for bones. Garlic helps increase bone density due to its sulfur content and other important compounds. This helps prevent osteoporosis and reduces the risk of fractures, especially in the elderly.
What is the right way to consume garlic?
To maximize the benefits, garlic is best consumed raw. Crushing or crushing the cloves releases allicin, the main active substance, which loses its properties with prolonged heat treatment. If it is boiled or fried, only the flavor remains, and the useful properties disappear.
It is recommended to add garlic to salads, sauces or take small portions on an empty stomach, for example, with honey or warm water. For those who do not tolerate the pungent taste and smell of garlic well, there are supplements based on it.
Precautions
Although garlic is incredibly useful, it should be consumed in moderation, because it can cause harm along with benefits. Excessive amounts can cause irritation of the gastric mucosa, especially in people with gastritis or ulcers. It is forbidden in chronic GI diseases Also garlic can thin the blood, so it is not recommended to use it before surgery or when taking anticoagulants.
Garlic is a flavorful spice, a powerful tool to promote health. Its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make garlic an essential food in everyone’s diet. Regular consumption of garlic helps to protect the body from disease, strengthen immunity and prolong youth.
To learn about the benefits of other products, go to the Benefits food page.