Garlic has been used in fantasy stories for a long time to fight evil, especially blood-hungry vampires. However, in fact, garlic does have a lot of superpowers when it comes to our health. For example, garlic has allicin, which is an organic sulphur compound that strengthens the immune system, improves heart health, and reduces inflammation, among other things.
Besides that, it can even be used to fight bacteria and food
poisoning. Remember that if you eat garlic raw, you will get the most benefits
out of it, so do that. This is why you should plug up your nose and thank
garlic for these 14 health benefits that you didn't know about...
Protect Against Heart Disease and Lower Cholesterol
One of the best and most important things about garlic is
that it can help lower LDL cholesterol. garlic supplements could help people
who have high cholesterol. They could cut it about 10% to 15%. “The bad
cholesterol, LDL, and the good cholesterol, HDL, don't seem to be affected by
garlic in the same way. Another risk factor for heart disease is having high
triglyceride levels. Garlic doesn't seem to have a big effect on triglyceride
levels, and garlic seems to have the best effect when it's taken for more than 8
weeks.
An old study from back in 1991 found that students who took
raw garlic every day for two months could lower their cholesterol levels and
thus lower their risk of heart disease, which is why they took it. Another
study from 2006 that was published in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical
Sciences found that people who ate raw garlic had higher levels of good
cholesterol, while their total cholesterol levels dropped. However, the
difference wasn't big enough that it could be used as the only way to cut
cholesterol. Use it with other treatments, not on its own, says the author.
Protects Bones
As of now, there haven't been any studies on the effects of
garlic on bone loss in humans. However, there have been some promising studies
on rodents, which showed that garlic could help to slow down bone loss by
increasing oestrogen levels in women.
Other people who took dry garlic extract (equivalent to two
grammes of raw garlic) every day "significantly" cut down on a test
for oestrogen deficiency in menopausal women, another study found. Garlic may
be good for your bones, especially if you are a woman. Foods like garlic and
onions have also been shown to help with osteoarthritis.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Garlic is also a potent anti-inflammatory, something you may
not have known. When massaged into tight muscles and swollen joints, garlic oil
has been shown to be an effective pain reliever.
The journal Food and Chemical Toxicology published a study
on the short-term effects of raw garlic extracts for decreasing inflammation
because of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in raw garlic. The results of the
trial were good, although the researchers cautioned that boiling garlic
extracts reduced their anti-inflammatory abilities.
Garlic should only be used moderately in this application.
Anti-inflammatory foods like garlic can actually increase the symptoms of
lupus, which is why it is important to avoid them. To get the optimal food
selections, it is best to consult with your nutritionist.
Treat Athlete’s Foot
It's surprising how many people are unaware that raw garlic
has anti-fungal properties and can effectively treat athlete's foot. It treats
everything from athlete's foot to candidiasis using ajoene (allium sativum).
To combat and prevent fungal infections, garlic has natural
anti-fungal qualities, according to Dr. Lawrence D. Rosen, chairman of
paediatric integrative medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center.
Protect Against Cancer
Most of us have been affected by cancer in some way. We all dread it and will do anything to avoid it! Garlic can help prevent cancer by lowering cancer risk. A seven-year research published in Cancer Prevention Research found that participants who consumed garlic twice a week had a lower risk of lung cancer.
A Chinese study found that eating one garlic clove daily
reduced the incidence of prostate cancer by 50%.
Garlic consumption is linked to a decreased risk of prostate
cancer. Taking garlic extract supplements may help reduce the risk of prostate
cancer or its symptoms.
Garlic may help treat colon and pancreatic cancer, according
to the University of Maryland Medical Center, but further research is needed.
May Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Alzheimer's and dementia are incurable. Garlic is one of the safest things you can do according to study. Free radicals cause oxidative damage to the body, speeding up the ageing process. Garlic contains antioxidants that "aid the body's defence against oxidative damage."
High blood pressure patients can take garlic supplements
that include a lot of garlic. These supplements boost antioxidant enzyme
production and reduce oxidative stress. Cholesterol, blood pressure, and
antioxidants may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Strengthens Immunity
Raw garlic has traditionally been used to treat colds.
Experts at St. Joseph Family Medicine Residency in Mishawaka, Indiana, claim
prophylactic garlic use may help reduce the incidence of colds in adults.
However, while garlic helped prevent recurrence, it could
not shorten the length of a cold's symptoms. Dialyl sulphide, a garlic
component, reduced intestinal distress and food poisoning caused by
Campylobacter bugs, according to Washington State University study.
Garlic for Diabetes
The hormone that regulates blood glucose levels decreases in
people at risk for type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, a 2011 Nutrition &
Metabolism study indicated that garlic can enhance insulin sensitivity and
lessen the risk of diabetes.
The results suggest that garlic seems to function best in
those with diabetes who have been taking it for at least 3 months. It's vital
to remember that the conclusions are based solely on a rat study.
Reduce Blood Pressure
Heart attacks and strokes are among the world's leading causes
of death. One of the major risk factors for these illnesses is high blood
pressure. Garlic has been shown to reduce blood pressure in trials,
particularly in people with hypertension. “Taking garlic by mouth tends to
reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 4-9 mmHg in patients with
hypertension.”
Over a 24-week period, one study published in showed that
“600-1,500 mg of aged garlic extract was just as beneficial as the medication
Atenolol in decreasing blood pressure”. The dosage needs to be fairly high to
observe any kind of benefit. It is suggested to take a supplement equivalent to
four cloves every day.
Encourage Longevity
This one is sure to excite you! It's hard to believe that
there are foods that can genuinely extend our lives, but garlic has proven it!
It isn't magic... Garlic has been demonstrated to increase longevity in humans
due to its capacity to reduce blood pressure.
This is significant since infectious diseases are common
causes of death, especially in the elderly or those with compromised immune
systems.
Increase Physical Performance
Athletes may not think of garlic as a natural way to improve
performance. Of course, people think about the scent and flavour. But
historically, it was utilised as a “performance enhancing” stimulant to “reduce
tiredness and increase work capacity of labourers.” In fact, evidence suggests
it was utilised by Greek Olympians.
The real effects of garlic on physical performance are still
unknown. It has been demonstrated to boost exercise performance in rodents, but
not in people. One study found that using garlic oil for six weeks reduced peak
heart rate by 12% and improved exercise capacity. A different study on cyclists
revealed no improvement.
Clear Acne
It's happened to us all... You wake up and there it is - a
pimple! We usually have to just get rid of them and hope our concealer covers
them up, but there is another way. Garlic contains anti-bacterial antioxidants
that can destroy acne producing germs
The next time a pimple appears. Apply a cut garlic clove
straight to the pimple.
Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Parasitic
Ringworm isn't nice and we don't want it around. A gel
containing 0.6 percent ajoene, a garlic component, twice daily for one week
looks to be equally effective as antifungal medicine for treating ringworm.
Studies have shown that garlic can prevent food poisoning by
destroying bacteria like E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella
enteritidis. Note that this only applies to fresh garlic, not aged.
In one trial, garlic outperformed two medicines in treating
campylobacter. But you must still cook and handle food safely. Garlic is not a
substitute.
Insect Repellent
There's nothing more frustrating than a persistent
mosquito...or several. An Indian study discovered that garlic can repel
mosquitoes. According to an Indian research, “people who smeared a garlicky
concoction on their arms and legs weren't disturbed by the annoying buggers.”
The smell of garlic deters most people from taking it. In such case, just keep
some close and see if that helps.
Garlic can also help minimise tick bites, in addition to
mosquitos. Over an 8-week period, persons who ate a lot of garlic reduced their
bites dramatically. It's unknown why garlic works better than other tick
repellents or how much better it works.