Garlic is a type of onion with a strong smell and pungent taste, found almost in every household. It has been used for thousands of years all over the world as a spicy condiment for food, for religious and spiritual purposes in ancient cultures, and as a great medicine for many illnesses. Let’s put aside how garlic is being used as a great spice or what it did in old cultural beliefs. Let’s talk about how garlic could be used as a medicine to have long term health benefits.
You might have heard some of them, but what we aim for is to make you want to add a clove or two of garlic every day in your diet since garlic could actually offer you loads of healthcare benefits than you think it would despite its tiny size.
01.Improves your immunity.
Garlic contains a bunch of antioxidants, vitamins, amino acids, some good oils, and a special component called “allicin”. They all contribute to strengthening your immunity system by killing bacterias, viruses, and fungi, reducing the chances of catching a cold or flu. So if you want to take a lesser number of trips to the doctor in a month, eat a clove or two of garlic daily in its raw state.
02. Stabilizes blood pressure.
If you eat about 4 cloves of garlic a day, you can reduce blood pressure in a significant amount because garlic can lessen the arterial pressure by widening the blood vessels. Since high blood pressure may lead to cardiovascular diseases and strokes, it is important to maintain healthy levels of blood pressure.
Garlic can be helpful in this too because it can decrease the bad cholesterol in the blood by 15%. You may experience headaches as a side effect of consuming 4 raw garlic a day, so if you are not sure about this, consult your doctor first.
03. Strengthens teeth and bones.
Garlic is packed with antibacterial and antifungal properties which could kill harmful microbes in your mouth. It further heals inflamed gums and reduces the risk of having a tooth cavity. Garlic is said to have a positive effect on the women who had their menopause because a study found that garlic extract can reduce estrogen deficiency in such women, minimizing the risk of losing bones. Another research suggests garlic could be beneficial in Osteoarthritis, but it hasn’t been completely proven yet.
04. Improves brain function.
The human brain becomes less efficient with age. It happens due to the energy production process of our body after taking in food and oxygen. This process, with time, destroys cells and leads to saggy skin and a dull brain. But garlic is there to help you stay young by fighting against this over oxidation with its high levels of antioxidants.
Therefore a garlic a day can prevent Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia in elders and improve memory and brain function in youngsters.
05. Makes you slimmer.
A compound called “ajoene” in garlic can destroy fatty deposits in your body and burn calories. But of course, it has to be eaten in a raw state and in enough amounts to get expected results. So if you are a figure-conscious person, you might want to eat a few garlic on a daily basis to become slimmer in a natural healthy way.
06. Increases hair growth.
Garlic is said to have a positive effect on people with alopecia areata (Patchy hair loss). Garlic is rich in antimicrobial properties which can kill harmful germs and bacteria responsible for damaging the scalp. It also boosts collagen production and contains vitamin C which is great to promote healthy hair growth. Just apply fresh garlic juice to your scalp or purchase garlic hair oils if you are not very fond of the odor.
Although garlic is a good source of so many nutrients such as vitamin B1, B6, C, Manganese, Selenium, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, carbs, protein, and fiber with a very tiny amount of calories, it never is a medical substitute or should be used as the only treatment for any condition.
If you are hoping to consume garlic for a specific health condition, make sure to use it along with a doctor’s advice and other medications. If you use it right, garlic could actually be your one secret element to longevity!
ReadersLabs 