Health Benefits of Garlic

Health benefits of garlic, the spice of world.

The benefits of garlic are vast and varied. In addition to its pungent flavor and aroma, garlic is used in a wide variety of foods as well as being an essential medicinal component. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti- parasitic properties that have been known for centuries; however, this article will focus on the benefits of garlic from a health standpoint. The health benefits of garlic are numerous and include improved heart health, lowered blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduced risk of cancer, and possible weight loss effects. Garlic has been used since ancient times for a variety of medical purposes including treatment for various types of infections. Several studies have investigated the potential role that daily consumption of garlic may have on various health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type 2, insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), lipid metabolism disorders including hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. The evidence shows promise but further research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Heart Health benefits
Garlic as a food and in supplements has been shown to have several positive effects on cardiovascular health. In one study, 17 healthy adults were randomized to either consume a daily garlic supplement or placebo for 12 weeks. The supplements contained both raw garlic and the allicin compound, which is thought to be the most active component. Raw garlic is known to have several positive effects including increased blood flow due to increased nitric oxide production, reduction in blood pressure due to blood flow-regulating properties, and anti-platelet activity. Allicin, another component of garlic, may further improve heart health by increasing nitric oxide production, reducing blood pressure due to blood flow-regulating properties, and reducing platelet aggregation due to anti-platelet activity. Thus, daily consumption of garlic may be useful for the treatment of high blood pressure, a condition that affects nearly a quarter of adults.

Many people don’t like garlic, so it’s is very important to know how special it is for our health.

Blood pressure reduction benefits
Garlic has been shown to have several potential benefits for those who have hypertension or high blood pressure. One study examined the effects of supplementation with raw garlic on blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. This study found that a daily garlic supplement over 12 weeks resulted in significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the placebo group. Another study demonstrated that garlic supplementation may be an effective treatment for both pre- and post-hypertension. This study found that both garlic supplementation and exercise resulted in significant improvements in blood pressure and heart rate variability, both indicators of improved heart health.

Cholesterol lowering benefits
A study that looked at the effects of raw garlic supplementation on cholesterol metabolism found that both garlic supplement and raw garlic supplementation significantly lowered total cholesterol and triglycerides, but had no significant effect on HDL-cholesterol levels. Raw garlic contains many non-volatile substances that may inhibit cholesterol absorption as well as increase the excretion of bile acid and pancreatic lipase, a digestive enzyme that breaks down fat. These cholesterol-lowering effects may be due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of garlic along with its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cancer prevention benefits
Studies have indicated that a daily intake of raw garlic is associated with a reduced risk of various forms of cancer including colorectal, gastric, and prostate cancer. The risk of developing colorectal cancer has been shown to be reduced by 44% due to garlic consumption. Prostate cancer is often associated with low levels of vitamin E, and garlic supplementation has been shown to increase levels of vitamin E in the blood. Similar to the blood pressure-lowering effects, garlic has been shown to have anti-carcinogenic effects.

Weight loss effects
While garlic has been used for centuries as a culinary staple and for medicinal purposes, it is only recently that it has gained attention as a potential weight loss aid. One study that looked at the effects of 6 weeks of supplementation with raw garlic found that it resulted in significant improvements in blood flow as well as a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate variability. Thus, the results of this study suggest that garlic may have benefits for improving metabolism and regulating body temperature.

Improvement in digestion and nutrient absorption benefits
Studies have indicated that garlic may have beneficial effects on the digestive system. Raw garlic in particular has been shown to have anti-ulcer and anti-infective properties due to its active components including allicin, which is a superoxide-generating substance. Superoxide is a free radical that can damage cell membrane lipids, proteins, and DNA, which can lead to damage of the GI tract, gastritis, and infection. Thus, daily consumption of raw garlic may help to maintain good hydration, gastrointestinal flora, and overall gut health.