By: Svetlana Pasarić |
The benefits of garlic |
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Garlic (Latin name - Allium sativum) is a plant with a very strong and pungent flavor, which is known for its excellent culinary and medicinal properties.
The main ingredient of garlic is allicin, which has amazing anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and anti-oxidative properties.
Originally from Central Asia, garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world; it has been grown for over 5.000 years.
It seems that the Egyptians were the first who started growing this plant, which has played an important role in their culture.
Garlic, which the Egyptians considered a sacred plant, was found in the tombs of pharaohs.
They knew the medicinal properties of garlic – they gave garlic to slaves to increase their strength and the resistance to disease.
The medicinal properties of garlic were very well known among ancient Greeks and Romans, whose athletes ate garlic before sporting events.
Before they went to war, the Greek and Roman soldiers ate garlic to increase stamina and resistance to disease.
Later, garlic spread to other areas of the world. In the 6th century garlic growing started in China and India, where it was known for its therapeutic properties.
For hundreds of years, garlic has been a favorite plant of many people because of its taste and its healing effects.
In recent years, garlic has gained increasing popularity as scientific research has begun to confirm its numerous medicinal properties.
How garlic affects health
Because of its unique composition, garlic is beneficial against many diseases such as viral and bacterial infections, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, digestive problems, parasites and chronic fatigue.
Research confirms that regular use of garlic regulates blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Studies also confirm that garlic can be used as an excellent prevention against many types of cancer.
Cardiovascular diseases
Numerous studies confirm that this plant plays an important role in the health of our cardiovascular system.
The biggest benefit of garlic is the fact that it protects the cells and blood vessels from inflammation and oxidative processes.
Blood vessel damage caused by highly reactive oxygen molecules is a key factor increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and atherosclerosis.
Oxidative damage can also cause unwanted inflammation and oxidative stress, which increases the risk of clogged arteries.
The unique composition of garlic, which contains a number of sulfur compounds, protects us from oxidative stress and inflammation.
List of sulfur compounds in garlic:
- alliin
- allicin
- allixin
- allyl polysulfides (APS)
- diallyl sulfide (DAS)
- diallyl disulfude (DADS)
- diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
- N-acetyl-S-Allylcysteine (NASC)
- S-Allylcysteine (SAC)
- S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC)
- S-ethylcysteine (SEC)
- S-methylcysteine (SMC)
- S-propylcysteine (SPC)
- 1.2 vinyldithiin-(1,2-DT)
- thiacremonone
Garlic also affects triglyceride levels and general blood cholesterol.
In addition, it protects our blood vessels from clogging; garlic prevents blood clots thanks to a special ingredient, called ajoene.
Very impressive is the ability of garlic to reduce blood pressure.
It is assumed that the allicin from garlic blocks the activity of angiotensin, which prevents unwanted contraction of blood vessels and the increase in blood pressure.
Beneficial effects of garlic on the cardiovascular system are also associated with a high content of vitamin C, vitamin B6, selenium and manganese.
Anti-inflammatory properties of garlic
The circulatory system is not the only one that can benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic. Preliminary studies have shown that garlic acts on our skeletal, muscular and respiratory system.
Both diallyl sulfide and thiacremonone from garlic exhibit anti-rheumatic properties. Garlic has also caused improvements in inflammation caused by allergies.
Other studies that link obesity with inflammation in the body have confirmed that sulfur compounds found in garlic can prevent inflammations which encourage the formation of fat cells.
Please note that this research is still in a preliminary stage and have yet to be confirmed by further research.
Anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties
In the history of medicine, antibacterial and antiviral properties of garlic are rather famous. Garlic and its compounds are subjected to numerous studies to demonstrate their effect on infections caused by bacteria and viruses. Not only that - its antimicrobial activity includes fungi and parasites.
One of the ingredients of garlic - ajoene - proved to be particularly effective in treating fungus Candida albicans.
Recent studies have confirmed garlic’s effect on the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as many other bacteria.
Effects of garlic on bacteria that have become resistant to modern antibiotics is something that particularly caught the interest modern scientists and doctors.
Cancer prevention
Research has confirmed that garlic has significant anti-cancer properties. It has been shown that regular consumption of large quantities of garlic significantly reduces the risk of many types of cancer.
On the other hand, a moderate consumption of garlic can be used for prevention of two types of cancer - rectal and kidney.
Such a difference between "large" and "moderate" intake of garlic shows that for effective cancer prevention it is still needed to consume large quantities of garlic, which can be achieved by consuming garlic in form of capsules or pills.
How to consume garlic
To take advantage of the healing potential of garlic, mash it or finely chop it. It stimulates the release of specific enzymes that convert alliin into allicin - a compound which is responsible for most of the medicinal properties of garlic.
To free up the maximum amount of allicin, leave crushed or chopped garlic for 5 minutes before you eat or cook it.
A greater quantity of these compounds can be consumed in garlic capsules or tablets.
Practical advice
Allergy
Garlic regulates the immune system and prevents inflammation caused by allergies. Turn up the intake of garlic for 2 or 3 weeks before the start of seasonal allergies. If you are taking the capsules, the recommended dose for adults is 2-3 capsules of garlic a day.
Cough
Because of its antibacterial properties, garlic is an excellent remedy for cough. It also relieves respiratory tract infections.
Diabetes
Garlic may help regulate blood sugar levels. It is recommended to take 1-2 capsules of garlic a day during a prolonged period.
Cholesterol
According to research, 600-900 mg (2 capsules) of garlic a day can help lower your cholesterol levels by 18%.
High blood pressure
Studies have confirmed that people who were taking 2-3 garlic capsules a day for five months have controlled blood pressure with the same success as people who took prescription drugs. The suggested dose is 600-900 mg of garlic a day.
Toothache
Garlic has analgesics and anesthetic properties, which can help with toothache. Simply place a piece of crushed garlic on the aching tooth to get instant relief (do not forget to see the dentist afterwards!).
Warts
Because of its antimicrobial properties, garlic is an excellent remedy for warts and other skin problems:
- Take a fresh clove of garlic and cut the top.
- Rub the wart with the cut side of garlic for a few seconds.
- Repeat this every day before bedtime.
If you experience irritation or burning of the skin, simply wash the area with water.
What are the side effects of garlic?
Most people will not experience any side effects after consuming garlic. It has proven to be safe even for pregnant women and nursing mothers. During breastfeeding, babies had no problems with drinking the milk of mothers who ate garlic.
However, there are some people who are allergic to garlic. Of course, in this case, the consumption of garlic is not recommended.
For people with sensitive stomachs, intake of large amounts of garlic can cause heartburn and an upset stomach.
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