To me, garlic is just one medicinal plant with so many health benefits too awesome to be ignored. To some people, it is just a spice they add to their food for it taste and aroma. To others it is just that allergic onion that upsets their well being. Yet, we have a few that had discovered garlic as an onion with such great medicinal properties that is so awesome to had been left out of their meal plan. This article would centre on the discovery of this last group and discuss the health benefits of garlic so you can start seeing it as more of just a spice and begin to see it as a great medicine.
Health Benefits of Garlic
Garlic is a member of the Allium family, related to it is the onions, shallots and leeks. This plant is grown all over the world strictly for it medicinal and cooking properties as far back as the ancient civilization periods. This had been well documented by these early people and it had survived till date and would continue to survive. The main source of it medicinal properties is the sulphuric compound contained in it know as the Allicin. This compound is also responsible for the unique smell garlic possess.
Below are the Health Benefits of Garlic
1. Garlic strengthen the immune system
Garlic improves the functionality of the immune system which then fights common sickness like chest infection, common cold and flu. An old home remedy to cold is to eat a clove of garlic dipped in honey. This had proven helpful to many and it wouldn’t be different if you decide to try.
2. Garlic can reduce blood pressure
One of the health benefits of garlic is it ability to reduce blood pressure. As it is already known, high blood pressure is the leading cause of heart attack and stroke. These two diseases are known to be killer diseases so by controlling and subsequently reducing the blood pressure, a person with high blood pressure is redeemed from such sicknesses.
3. It aids in the Detoxification of heavy metals
At high dose, this had been proven to be one of it health benefits. The Allicin in garlic provides protection against damaging of organs by heavy metals in our body. A study was carried out on workers in a car battery plant using garlic and it shows a reduction of about 19% in the lead level in their blood. This also reduced the symptoms of toxicity such as headache.
In another study, three doses of garlic each day even outperformed the drug D-penicillamine in symptom reduction.
4. Garlic is highly nutritional
This list wouldn’t just be complete without adding this one. Garlic is highly rich in Manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Selenium, Fiber, calcium, potassium, copper iron, phosphorus as well as Vitamin B1 among other nutrients.
Interestingly, with all these nutrients, it is low in calories making it a good choice as you never need to think about taking in excess calories.
5. It improves the cholesterol levels
This is particularly helpful for those with high cholesterol level as garlic is known to reduce the total and LDL cholesterol thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. It had not been proven to reduce HDL cholesterol and this is good since it isn’t harmful to us.
6. Garlic acts as an antioxidant
This is one of the importance health benefits of garlic as it contains certain antioxidants which help protect our cells from cell damage and ageing caused the oxidation of free radicals.
Now, with it combined three properties, it had been said to prevent brain diseases like the Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. These three properties include reducing cholesterol levels, blood pressure and it antioxidant properties.
7. Allicin in garlic possess a great potent medicinal properties
Allicin as stated earlier is the sulphuric compound contained in it that is responsible for most of it health benefits it possess. This had proven to combat some fungal and bacteria infections.
8. Garlic reduces fatigue
Garlic had been hypothesis in lab animals and people with heart disease to reduce fatigue level and increase performance. For now, no proven effect had been mentioned for healthy people.
9. Garlic could improve bone health especially in women
Garlic had been said to have the potentials of increasing the oestrogen level in women especially in their menopausal years.
10. Garlic taste delicious
Yeah… Yummy, I just had to add this as the last on our list of health benefits of garlic though it is not directly related to health but of course, the delicious taste and nose catchy aroma it possess makes it a spice to always add to your meal.
Note: This is a general note on the excessive consumption of garlic. It could have damaging effects on your health if you take it in excess dose.
We had come to the end of this article on health benefits of garlic and it is now your own time to share with us what you think about garlic. Use the comment box below.