Garlic is more than a Vampire Repellent.
We are all aware of garlic’s ability to ward off vampires, and if you are dealing with them in your life, I hope it works. :)
Beyond guarding us against apparitions and other frightening things from the underworld, garlic adds rich flavour to food and has enormous health benefits. Garlic is a powerful remedy that protects against infections of many bacteria, fungi and viruses. (Source) Historically, well-documented evidence shows garlic’s role in preventing and treating disease. (Source)
Garlic is a plant in the Allium family, and its siblings include onions, shallots and leeks. It’s grown in many parts of the world and is a popular cooking ingredient in numerous cultures because of its robust flavour.
What makes garlic healthy?
“Garlic is low in calories and rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese.
Scientists now know that most of its health benefits are caused by sulfur compounds formed when a garlic clove is chopped, crushed or chewed.
Perhaps the most famous of those is known as allicin. However, allicin is an unstable compound that is only briefly present in fresh garlic after it is cut or crushed.
Other compounds that may play a role in garlic’s health benefits include diallyl disulfide and s-allyl cysteine.
The sulfur compounds from garlic enter the body from the digestive tract and travel all over the body, where it exerts its potent biological effects.” (Source) (Source)
Health Benefits
To obtain the most benefits from garlic, it should be eaten raw. Crushing or chopping garlic and letting it be for a few minutes releases allicin and antiplatelet enzymes.
(This blog does not suggest you replace your medication with garlic. Please always check with your health practitioner).
Garlic offers a broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties.
Garlic can lower total and LDL cholesterol. (Source)
It can reduce blood pressure. (Source)
Garlic contains antioxidants that support the body’s protective mechanisms against oxidative damage (Source)
It reduces the number of colds and recovery from colds. (Source)
It reduces the risk of cancer. (Source)
The combined effects on reducing cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as the antioxidant properties, may reduce the risk of common brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia (Source) (Source)
Eating garlic may help detoxify heavy metals in the body (Source)
I started eating raw garlic during the cold/flu season over 3 years ago. I take 1 tsp of chopped garlic and after letting it be for a few minutes, I swallow it with a large glass of water. I’m sure numerous pandemic isolations contributed to this, but I feel this daily winter routine made a difference as I haven’t had a cold for over 3 years.
Potential Risks of Garlic
The primary side effect of garlic consumption is its blood-thinning properties. If you don’t usually eat garlic, you may want to check with your doctor before adding it to your diet.
Excess Bleeding
Because garlic can make blood less likely to clot, you should stop eating it 7 to 10 days before any surgery you have planned.
Drug Interactions
Avoid garlic if you’re already taking an anticoagulant, such as Coumadin (warfarin) or Heparin, because the blood-thinning action of the medication may be increased. (Source)
Some delicious recipes with loads of garlic
Cashew Alfredo
Photo Credit-Minimalist Baker
Some Tips
If there is one food item you should buy organic (and local if possible), it’s garlic. Imported garlic is often heavily bleached (yuck) to remove soil stains and give it an unnaturally white colour. Non-organic garlic is usually fumigated with methyl bromide to get rid of any bugs,
Boiling, frying, roasting and pickling garlic will reduce its allicin content. Opt for eating it raw to maximize its nutritional value.
Sprouting garlic is OK to consume. Once the cloves become soft and discoloured, it’s best to discard them.
Save time when you need to peel many garlic cloves. Place cloves in a glass jar, tighten lid and shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
Keep your home safe and body healthy.
Stay well.
Anita
DISCLAIMER; The information provided on County Yoga Loft’s website blog is for general health care informational purposes only. All information on the site is provided in good faith. However, it should not replace consultation or advice from a physician and/or other healthcare practitioners. The use or reliance of any information contained on this site is solely at your own risk.
