The benefits of garlic have been praised for thousands of years in many different societies. Garlic is used for treating many health issues and conditions. And modern science has recently been able to prove many of its beneficial effects. This makes Garlic an important element to include in our daily diet so we are able to enjoy its amazing properties. The purpose of this article is to provide you with information regarding the health benefits of garlic so you are able enjoy of all its benefits by including it in your healthy diet as well.
Garlic has Strong Medicinal Properties
Garlic is part of the Allium (onion) plant family. This relates it to onions, leeks and shallots. It is grown in many parts of the world and it is extremely popular as cooking ingredient. However, very few people know that garlic has very powerful medicinal properties. Many of its health effects are due to the sulfur content that is formed when the garlic is chopped. This sulfur compound is called allicin which gives the garlic its distinctive smell. It enters the body through the digestive tract and exerts its medicinal effects.
Garlic is Highly Nutritious
Besides being incredibly nutritious, garlic possesses very few calories. One ounce or 28 grams of garlic contains 23% of manganese, 17% of vitamin B6, 15% of vitamin C, 6% of selenium and 0.6 grams of fiber. It also contains a fair amount of calcium, phosphorous, iron, vitamin B1 and, potassium and copper. Amazingly, garlic contains small pieces of other nutrients. All this comes with 42 calories, 1.8 grams of protein and 9 grams of carbohydrates.
Garlic Can Fight Sickness
Everybody knows that garlic improves the immune system. It helps reducing the days that a regular cold lasts as well as the symptoms during these days. It has been proven than consuming at least 2.56 grams per day can reduce the days of sickness such a flue in 61%. So, remember to always have garlic if you are usually suffering from colds and flu.
Garlic Can Reduce Blood Pressure
High blood pressure and hyper tension can lead to more serious health issues like heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. Garlic greatly helps reducing the blood pressure in people who suffer from high blood pressure.
Garlic is considered to be very powerful in lowering blood pressure to the point that you need to take 4 supplement pills in order to have the same benefits as having 1 garlic clove per day.
Garlic Improves Cholesterol Levels
It helps reduce the LDL cholesterol levels by 10 to 15% approximately. LDL es considered to be the bad cholesterol while HDL is the good cholesterol. Well, you will be happy to hear that garlic does not affect the levels of HDL.
And these are only some of the incredible health benefits that garlic can offer you. So remember to have a regular intake of garlic in order to maximize its benefits and improve your health and the health of your family.