7 Health Benefit of Garlic You Didn’t Know

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Garlic, botanically known as Allium savitum is a common herb in many kitchens around the world.

Though garlic is popularly used for cooking, it has also been used as a medicine for the prevention and treatment of health conditions and diseases.

Whether you choose to eat it raw, add it to your tea or meals, or take it as a supplement, you can reap its full nutritional benefits.

For instance, taking garlic allium complex helps in reducing cholesterol levels, strengthening the immune system, and fighting infections, among others.

So if you are wondering how garlic benefits your health, this article discusses the health benefits of garlic, and also, its possible side effects.

I have also taken the time to answer some commonly asked questions about garlic, and other relevant information that will benefit your health.

READ ALSO: 15 Health Benefits of Guava leaf

Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic has several health benefits. Also, combining it with other natural products such as ginger and honey could give you even a wider range of results.

Some of the health benefits of garlic include:

1. Anti-inflammatory benefits

It is common knowledge that garlic decreases inflammation as it is composed of allyl sulfides, an anti-inflammatory compound.

You can also use garlic and ginger to reduce acne as both contain antibacterial and antifungal properties. Their anti-inflammatory benefits help improve the circulation of blood. This has an immediate positive impact on the skin.

2. Boost immunity

The fact that you fall sick frequently shows that your immune system is not as strong as it should be. The immune system helps protect your body from diseases as the need arises. Using garlic, especially with honey helps boost your immunity and enhance the formation of antibodies. This decreases the chances of having colds, fever, and other illnesses.

During the Covid outbreak, garlic was one of the most patronized products to help raise immunity. This was very effective in keeping people healthy, especially Africans.

3. Enhances breast enlargement

Did you know that garlic increases your breast size?

Surprisingly, garlic may help enlarge breast size. You can achieve this by making garlic oil at home or buying one from the store and applying it to your breasts. However, you must exercise caution in this as garlic may irritate the skin if you apply it directly in large amounts.

4. Reduces blood pressure

Stroke and heart attacks are leading causes of death around the world. Research has shown that high blood pressure is one of the risk factors for stroke and heart disease.

Garlic is one effective spice that helps control your blood pressure. Taking garlic with ginger can reduce the risks of hypertension, stroke, and heart disease. If you are not a fan of raw garlic you can take it in supplement form. However, the number of supplements you take daily must be equivalent to four cloves of raw garlic.

5. Detoxifies your body

We are exposed to lots of harmful substances daily which need to be eliminated from the body system. Selenium, an active ingredient in garlic helps to detoxify the body by cleansing the liver. This promotes healthy living.

Garlic trigger enzymes in the liver and flushes out toxins naturally.

6. Improves athletic performance

Garlic, especially when taken as supplements helps improve athletic performance. Historically, people use garlic to reduce tiredness and enhance the strength of workers. For instance, sports medics give garlic to the Olympic athletes in ancient Greece to improve their performance.

7. Prevents dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Garlic has antioxidant properties that help protect the body from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Taking lots of garlic could enhance the increase of antioxidant enzymes in the body and essentially reduce oxidative stress in individuals suffering from high blood pressure. Garlic also contains enzymes that fight cell damage and the effects of aging. All these put together, reduce the risk of several brain conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Side Effects of Garlic

Although garlic is packed with several health benefits, it also has side effects like bad breath.

Moreover, if you are allergic to garlic, it is advisable to stay away from it. If you also have bleeding issues or you are taking blood-thinning drugs, you should avoid taking garlic. Too much garlic can also result in digestive problems and heartburn. If you choose to continue using it, consult your doctor for proper guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Health Benefits of Garlic

Q. Is garlic good for ulcers?

Yes, garlic is made up of antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that hasten the recovery of ulcers and reduce their occurrence in the first place. Animal and human studies have shown that garlic may help prevent the growth of H. pylori which commonly causes ulcers. Thus, garlic enhances the prevention of ulcers and helps to heal them faster.

Q. Can garlic lower blood pressure?

Yes, garlic has been tested to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension. Studies have shown that garlic increases the rate at which the body produces nitric oxide, this helps the relaxation of the muscles and dilation of the blood vessels. In addition, garlic has been proven to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, especially in hypertensive individuals.

Q. Can garlic cure bacterial infections?

Antibiotics kill or stop the growth of bacteria. Garlic has antibiotic elements that fight against all kinds of bacteria causing diseases.

Q. Does garlic hip enlargement lifting oil work?

This is not scientifically proven. However, some individuals have reported that garlic hip oil works for their hip and buttock enlargement. Bear in mind that there are no side effects as rubbing garlic oil moderately on the hips and buttocks is safe.

Q. Can garlic shrink an enlarged prostate in men?

A study conducted recently on rats showed that garlic is effective in the prevention of prostate problems in men. Garlic can also reduce the chances of having prostate cancer and the growth of other cancer cells since it has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

Q. How many cloves of garlic to eat for cholesterol?

Garlic is effective in reducing cholesterol in the body. Studies have also shown that taking half to one clove of garlic a day can reduce cholesterol by up to 10%.

Conclusion

Although garlic is famous for culinary purposes, it is also used as medicine to treat several health conditions.

In this article, we have discussed the amazing health benefits of garlic. However, if you are on blood-thinning medications, you should consult your doctor before including garlic in your diet.