Garlic: Health Benefits and Side Effects
Garlic can help lower bad cholesterol, improve immunity, and prevent brain diseases but excess consumption may lead to heartburn. Read this mini blog to learn more!
The scientific name of garlic is Allium sativum, it belongs to the onion family and has several medicinal properties.
People use garlic in cooking for its pungent taste and smell due to a chemical called Allicin.
Allicin is a sulfur compound that forms when we crush, chop, or chew the garlic clove.
Garlic also contains sulfur compounds like diallyl disulfide and s-allyl cysteine, providing health benefits.
Garlic can improve immunity by stimulating immune cells like macrophages, lymphocytes, and dendritic cells.
It is a good source of manganese, vitamin C, selenium, and vitamin B6.
You can consume garlic easily by adding it to your veggies, soups, breads, and sauces.
According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), garlic contains the following nutrients.
Pros of eating Garlic
1. Garlic has anti-viral properties and can help protect against the flu and common cold.
2. Garlic may reduce blood pressure.
3. Garlic is good for heart health. Garlic can help lower LDL (bad cholesterol).
4. It can prevent neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
5. It may improve your physical performance.
6. Garlic can detoxify the body and can help remove heavy metals like lead from the body.
7. Consuming garlic regularly can strengthen bones and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.
8. Garlic has antibiotic properties that can help recovery from bacterial infection.
9. It can protect the liver from damage.
10. Eating garlic regularly may help weight loss.
11. Garlic has anti-cancer properties.
Cons of eating Garlic
1. Eating raw garlic causes bad breath and body odor.
2. Garlic can prevent blood clot formation as it has blood thinning properties.
3. Garlic contains fructans, a type of carbohydrate that can cause gas and bloating.
4. Excess consumption of garlic may cause acid reflux.
5. Excess consumption of garlic may cause heartburn.
6. Consuming raw garlic may cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat.
Interesting Facts
1. China is the largest garlic producer. It produces around 73% of the total production.
2. Some archaeological evidence shows the use of garlic dating back to 7000 BCE.
3. The word garlic comes from the Anglo-Saxon words gar (spear) and lac (plant).
4. Garlic water can be sprinkled on plants and flowers to remove aphid infestation.
5. In World War II, garlic was used by the Russian soldiers as an anti-biotic when penicillin was not available. Therefore, garlic was called “Russian penicillin”.