Roast it, toast it, crush it, chop it, mince it, half it, or eat it as whole. Without garlic, almost no Indian meal can taste good and delicious. But not many of us are possibly aware of the health side of garlic. When you read the health benefits of garlic, you will not just be surprised, but wonder how the tiny garlic pods have the potential to beat allopathic drugs! Read on.
Garlic History
One of the oldest crops, garlic finds a mention in not just Indian but Egyptian cultures about 5000 years ago, about 4500 years ago in Babylonian culture, and approximately about 4000 years ago in Chinese culture. Central Asia is its area or center of origin. Garlic achieved popularity with humans migrating to various parts of the world.
Do you know how much of garlic is produced annually? About 10 million metric tons worldwide. China is the leading producer accounting for 66% garlic production.
Garlic Nutritional Values |
|||
| Energy | 149 Kcal | 7.5% | |
| Carbohydrates | 33.06 g | 25% | |
| Protein | 6.36 g | 11% | |
| Total Fat | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g | 5.5% | |
| VITAMINS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Folates | 3 ϥg | 1% | |
| Niacin | 0.700 mg | 4% | |
| Pantothenic Acid | 0.596 mg | 12% | |
| Pyridoxine | 1.235 mg | 95% | |
| Riboflavin | 0.110 mg | 8% | |
| Thiamin | 0.200 mg | 17% | |
| Vitamin A | 9 IU | 1% | |
| Vitamin C | 31.2 mg | 52% | |
| Vitamin E | 0.08 mg | 0.5% | |
| Vitamin K | 1.7 ϥg | 1.5% | |
| ELECTROLYTES | |||
| Sodium > | 153 mg > | 10%> | |
| Potassium > | 401 mg > | 8.5% | |
| MINERALS | |||
| Calcium | 181 mg | 18% | |
| Copper | 0.299 mg | 33% | |
| Iron > | 1.70 mg | 21% | |
| Copper | 0.299 mg | 33% | |
| Magnesium | 25 mg | 6% | |
| Manganese | 1.672 mg | 73% | |
| Phosphorus | 153 mg | 22% | |
| Selenium | 14.2 ϥg | 26% | |
| Zinc > | 1.160 mg | 10.5% | |
| PHYTO-NUTRIENTS | |||
| Carotene-ß | 5 ϥg | – | |
| Crypto-xanthin-ß | 0 ϥg | – | |
| Lutein-zeaxanthin | 16 ϥg | – | |
Health Benefits of Garlic
Small in size, big in benefits. That’s Garlic!!
1. Blood Purifier
No need to conceal those zits with a fancy concealer. You need to purify your blood from inside to sport healthy skin.
Garlic Remedy – Daily in the morning, take 2 raw garlic cloves with some warm water. Garlic will cleanse your system and get rid of toxins.
2. Prevention of Heart Disease
Know the secret of lowering your cholesterol levels? Eat garlic daily (raw or semi-cooked form). The anti-oxidant properties of “Allicin” regulate BP and blood sugar levels, and lower cholesterol. Refrain from cooking garlic as a “whole” because Allicin (which is sulphur-containing compound) tends to lose its medicinal properties. Always eat garlic in raw or semi-cooked form to make the most of its benefits.
3. Anti-bacterial and Anti-parasitic:
Thank ALLICIN! Because it shows antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria and antifungal activity against a wide range of fungi.
4. Cancer Prevention
Several fruitful studies have been done to establish an association between daily garlic consumption and prevention of prevention of two types of cancers – stomach and colo-rectal. Garlic, in any case, strengthens the immunity of the body against the deadly cancer.
5. Thromboembolism
Blood clotting to prevent excess of blood loss is good, but not good when the blood clots get detached and are carried via the bloodstream to other vital organs such as brain, lungs, kidney etc.
A study was carried out by Indian scientists where the participants were asked to eat before breakfast 10 mg raw garlic every day for 2 months. The conclusion of the study – garlic could be used to prevent thromboembolism.
Garlic Remedy – Eat 3 garlic cloves before breakfast after every alternate day.
6. Oxidative stress
Garlic has organosulfur compounds which help prevent damage to DNA, reduce inflammation and risk of atherosclerosis (fallout of oxidative stress). Garlic can also help prevent heart ailments by perishing away the harmful free oxygen radicals.
Garlic Remedy – Take 1 raw garlic clove daily in order to flush out the harmful free oxygen radicals.
7. Yeast Infections
Research findings show that garlic extract is effective against Candida and candida vaginitis infections.
Garlic Remedy – Take 2-3 raw garlic cloves on a daily basis. But do not apply raw garlic on the area of infection.
Garlic Remedy – Pop in 2 to 3 garlic cloves (in raw or cooked form) every day or sip some garlic tea (with some ginger or honey added to lift the taste). This will not only cure your stuffed nose and cold, it will also build your immunity levels against these uncalled-for visitors.
10. Cold Sores
Also known as blisters, cold sores are caused by virus herpes simplex, these painful blisters erupt in and around lips, nose and chin. Worst is they are CONTAGIOUS. Count on garlic!
Garlic Remedy – 1-2 cloves of raw garlic should be helpful enough in treating cold sores.
11. Eye Care
According to scientists, garlic reduces intra-ocular pressure.
Garlic Remedy – Take 3-4 cloves of raw garlic after breakfast in order to protect your eyes.
12. Ear Infections
The anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties in garlic are an effective remedy against ear infections.
Garlic Remedy – Eating 2-3 garlic cloves helps reduce inflammation and microbial infection in the ears.
13. Oral Pathogens
Allicin component in garlic has anti-microbial properties which kills oral pathogens linked with dental caries and periodontitis. Going for toothpaste or mouthwash containing garlic extract can help prevent dental caries.
Garlic Remedy – Suffering from a toothache or dental caries? Make it a point to chew one garlic clove every day.
14. High Blood Pressure
S-allylcysteine – a bioactive sulfur compound in garlic – has been found to effectively lower the blood pressure by 10 mmHg (systolic pressure) and 8 mmHg (diastolic pressure).
Garlic Remedy –Just take garlic in raw or dried form. The allicin in it will help regulate the blood pressure.
15. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia:
Dementia is a neuro-degenerative disease (most common symptoms are memory loss) and Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia. Garlic is effective against Alzheimer’s disease. It has a bio-active compound S-allyl-cysteine, which is neuro-protective in nature. This besides, garlic’s anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties also contribute in preventing neurological deterioration.
Garlic Remedy –Want an easy remedy to prevent the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? Eat 3-4 garlic cloves a day.
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16. Diabetes
What is Diabetes? A metabolic disorder caused mostly by unhealthy lifestyle habits. If you are a diabetic, or prone to developing diabetes, do take garlic in order to lower glucose levels in blood.
Garlic Remedy –Taking 2 to 3 garlic cloves a day is a good starting point to prevent the risk of diabetes.
17. Athletic Performance
Garlic consumption enhances athletic performance. Since it is high in antioxidants—when it comes to cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems—a benefit which is perfect for athletes.
18. Detox
Garlic is a super-detox food which enables and supports many enzymes of the liver for liver detoxification.
19. Bone Health
With age and unhealthy lifestyle, bones can become weak. Fractures and osteoporosis can set in much earlier. Thank God for garlic – it is an effective remedy against arthritis and osteoporosis.
20.Weight Loss
Nutritionist Cynthia Sass has some good news for us. A study reveals that diet rich in garlic fed to mice reduced their weight and fat stores.
Garlic Remedy – Make it a daily habit to cook all your meals with garlic.
21.Ameliorates Fatty Liver
Fat deposits in the liver can turn out to be fatal for health. Garlic has found to be effective against ‘non-alcoholic’ fatty liver.
Garlic Remedy –To help prevent fatty liver, add chopped 1-2 garlic cloves to spinach smoothie.
22. Helps You Live Longer
Looking at the benefits cited above, it is clear that inclusion of garlic in diet (raw or cooked form) contributes to improving your health by protecting your vital organs and cell functions. This way, it helps increase longevity and life span of humans.
Garlic Remedy – Take 2 Garlic cloves a day for a healthy and long life.
Garlic For Skin
23. Acne
The tiny ‘Lahsun’ might not be in your box of must-haves. But garlic is an effective home remedy which does away with unsightly acne blemishes. Since the garlic’s anti-oxidants kill bacteria, just rub a sliced garlic clove on the pimple to get relief from this topical treatment.
24. Soothes Psoriasis
Facing red, scaly, and itchy skin on your scalp, knees and elbows? Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties which could be useful in bringing relief from uncomfortable psoriasis outbreaks.
Garlic Remedy – Rub some garlic oil on the affected area to get smooth, and rash-free skin. As an option, you could also consume 3 garlic cloves with leek, broccoli, and beetroot juice.
25. Delays Aging
Skin Ageing can happen due to stress, pollution, lifestyle habits and environmental influence. Garlic has S-allyl cysteine, which protects the skin from UV damage and wrinkling.
Garlic Remedy – First thing in the morning, take 1 garlic clove with honey and lemon. In fact, you can also add chopped garlic to Triphala water and drink it in the morning hours.
26. Stretch Mark
They can be unpleasant.
Garlic Remedy – Do ‘hot oil’ massage with 2 to 3 garlic cloves (preferably with olive oil or mustard oil). It will considerably reduce stretch marks.
27. Eczema
Tackling Eczema is tough. But Garlic is a good home remedy whose anti-inflammatory properties are effective against eczema.
Garlic Remedy – Eat 1-2 garlic cloves with plain water. It will show you positive results from Eczema over a period of time.
28. Treats Athlete’s Foot
Blessed with anti-fungal properties, Garlic goes one step ahead in providing relief from itchy athlete’s foot.
Garlic Remedy – Soak your feet in a tub containing warm water and crushed garlic.
Garlic For Hair
Hair loss is a serious problem. Can garlic help? YES!
29. Prevent Hair Loss
Blame it on stress, pollution, bad eating habits, for those lovely hair locks vanish away. According to scientists, garlic gel, along with betamethasone valerate can say goodbye to hair loss.
Garlic Remedy – Consume one garlic clove with a spinach smoothie. Alternatively, you can add garlic in cooked fish to make hair loss a thing of the past.
Benefits of garlic sexually
30.Improves Sexual Stamina:
Garlic is high in an ingredient called “allicin”. This can stimulate blood flow circulation to sexual organs in men and women. Which is why, it is seen as one of the best food items to boost your sex life.
Interesting facts about Garlic
- Garlic is said to ward off evil spirits. What’s more, it keeps vampires at bay. Time to include it in horror serials (remember the famous serial ‘Vikram Aur Betaal’ which was telecast on DD National years back?)
- How to remove the garlic smell? Wash your hands under cold water, while rubbing a stainless steel object.
- Did you know, Garlic is a member of the “ONION” family? It also includes onions, leeks and shallots.
- Majority of garlic is grown in the USA, and about 90%, comes from California.
- Garlic is used as an ingredient for cocktails-preparation and is used to infuse vodka.
- April 19th is National Garlic Day. WOW! A day dedicated to all things garlic.
- Over 300 varieties of garlic are grown across the world.
- In Greece of ancient times, do you know what brides carried? Not flowers, but bouquets of herbs and garlic!
- Chicago city is named after garlic.
- Deepak Sharma Bajagain of Nepal has the distinction of eating 34 garlic cloves in one minute.
- The best time for planting garlic is FALL.
Side-effects of Garlic
Potential side effects of garlic you need to know. Watch out for them –
- Bad Odor: Peeled Garlic cloves leave behind strong and pungent odour, and can make you stink when taken in excess. So, watch out for the quantity of garlic taken by you.
- Nausea/ Vomiting/Heartburn: Dizziness, heartburn and vomiting can be natural fall-out upon excessive intake of garlic.
- Gastritis: Stomach lining can get irritated and lead to gastritis problems when garlic is taken in more than average quantity.
- Body Heating: Garlic cloves, when taken in excessive measure, can cause heating up of your body, and more sweating.
- Migraine: ‘Lahsun’ or garlic can trigger off migraine. So, if you are a migraine patient, cut down on garlic intake in food items.
- Eyesight: Anything when consumed in excess can be harmful. Same is with garlic. Those who consume too much of garlic can land up with ‘hyphema’ or bleeding inside the eye.
- Low BP: Garlic helps say goodbye to hypertension. But when taken in excess it can cause low blood pressure.
- Skin Irritation: Excess of garlic intake can lead to skin allergy, rashes, redness of skin, and flaky and itchy skin.
- Liver Damage: Garlic when consumed in excess can be toxic. This will push the liver to work extra and overtime in the mission to remove the toxins, thereby damage your liver.
- Vaginal Infection: When taken in mild doses, garlic can prevent vaginal infections. But, large doses of garlic consumption can invite vaginal infection.
So guys and gals, men and women, how did you find this post on garlic? Do write in your thoughts and comments.
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