15 Incredible Health Benefits of Garlic

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Garlic (Lahsun) has played a vital role in Indian kitchens for centuries. It belongs to the family of Allium, with leeks, shallots, and onions being its other counterparts. It is a strong-smelling, edible bulb with the scientific name, Allium Sativum. [1] Each garlic bulb consists of 10 to 20 cloves, which are small segments in bulb. This excellent herb has several medicinal properties due to its antiseptic and antibacterial nature. Fitness enthusiasts are eager to learn about garlic benefits in Hindi and English.

This article will talk about the incredible Garlic benefits for your health. Read on to learn more about this wonderful natural elixir.

Compounds in Garlic

garlic nutrition

The garlic benefits are the result of Allicin, a powerful compound. Also, garlic contains high amounts of other useful minerals such as zinc, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, niacin, and Folate, and Vitamins like C & K.

How to incorporate Garlic in daily diet

compounds in garlic

You can chew fresh cloves of garlic and reap the raw garlic benefits. You can add minced raw garlic cloves to salads, sauces, dressings, and curries. Garlic powder and garlic oil [1] may be used in cooking. The typical Indian tadka with a few crushed garlic cloves can give your dish an irresistible aroma. If you are allergic to garlic in your diet, you can always take garlic supplements.

Garlic Benefits for health and well being

1. Cures Erectile Dysfunction in Men

Garlic benefits for men include improvement of sexual function in men by heightening the levels of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide improves blood flow to the male sex organs. This cures erectile dysfunction issues in men. [2] Regular intake of 4 cloves of garlic can help.

2. Stimulates digestion

One of the notable empty stomach garlic benefits is that the herb kindles a digestive fire in one’s body according to the principles of Ayurveda. Gastrointestinal functions improve under the impact of garlic. It also protects one against gut parasitic infestation. [3]

3. Lowers Blood Glucose Levels

Certain compounds in Garlic can have a positive impact on the high concentration of blood glucose. [4] Thus, one of raw garlic benefits is including it in an anti-diabetic diet.

4. Reduces the incidence of cardiovascular diseases

Consumption of garlic can keep your cardiovascular system healthy [4] by lowering the levels of triglycerides, bad cholesterol, and other harmful blood lipids.

5. Detoxifies your body

Organo-sulfur compounds in Garlic can offer you raw garlic benefits such as detoxification. Garlic can easily eliminate toxicity caused by poisonous heavy metals. [5]

6. Garlic as an anti-microbial agent

One of the most vital Garlic benefits is that it contains as many as 39 different wide-spectrum infection-fighting compounds. Thus, chewing raw garlic cloves every morning can protect you from the attack of microorganisms. [6]

7. Prevents bone loss

Garlic can regulate the production of cytokines, improve estrogen levels and prevent post-menopausal osteoporosis in women. So, this is one of the most prominent garlic benefits for womens. [7]

8.Fights common cold

Garlic can reduce common cold symptoms and also make you feel better by shortening the span of cold-related sickness. [8]

9.Protects against high blood pressure (hypertension)

One of the garlic benefits is that it can reduce high blood pressure levels and the risk of diseases like heart attacks or strokes due to high blood pressure. [9]

Also read our blog on high blood pressure

10.Protects against Dementia

Garlic is rich in antioxidants which lower the harmful impacts of oxidative stress on your brain, thereby preventing conditions like Dementia. [10]

11.Boosts energy levels

One of the most useful garlic benefits is that it energizes your body and brushes aside fatigue. [11]

12. Enhances exercising capacity

Garlic is a proven remedy for poor athletic performance. Intake of garlic can let you make the most of your exercise sessions. [12]

13.Improves eye health

Quercetin and Sulphur in garlic can inhibit cataract development and allow perfect lens focusing. [13]

14.Supports healthy hair growth

Keratinocytes present on the scalp and in your hair follicles are strengthened under the impact of garlic, and that supports healthy hair growth, one of the garlic benefits for hair. [14]

15.Treats Tuberculosis

Garlic has a compound called Allicin which helps to kill bacteria resulting from tuberculosis and improves anti-tubercular immunity. [15]

Side-effects of Garlic if Any

side-effects of garlic

Despite so many Garlic benefits, there are a few downsides too. Garlic may trigger allergic reactions in some and may cause bad breath too. Stomach upsets, acidity, and body odor are the other side effects. Also, people with bleeding disorders should not take garlic without consulting a doctor. [1]

FAQs

  • Should I just take fresh raw garlic cloves instead of garlic capsules?

It is far easier to pop in a pill than to chew several garlic cloves in a day and get annoying symptoms like loose motion and bad breath.

  • Which is the ideal time to start taking garlic?

You can start taking garlic in the winter as garlic can cause internal heating and trigger stomach upsets if taken in the scorching summer months.

  • How can I remove garlic’s smell from my hand fast?

Garlic’s stinky compounds can be washed out completely if you hold your hands under chilled running water and gently rub your hands against a stainless steel surface.

Conclusion

So, now you know about the top garlic benefits. The range of health benefits that this wonder herb brings you can be a good reason to include garlic generously in your daily diet. If you wish to stay healthy all the time, this herb will fulfill your wish.

Disclaimer

This article provides information for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical prescription. Before adopting any measure mentioned here, you must consult a doctor.

References

  1. Garlic
  2. Development and therapeutic applications of nitric oxide releasing materials to treat erectile dysfunction
  3. Preventive Effects and Mechanisms of Garlic on Dyslipidemia and Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis
  4. Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects
  5. Comparison of therapeutic effects of garlic and d-Penicillamine in patients with chronic occupational lead poisoning
  6. Fresh Garlic Extract Enhances the Antimicrobial Activities of Antibiotics on Resistant Strains in Vitro
  7. The effect of garlic tablet on pro-inflammatory cytokines in postmenopausal osteoporotic women: a randomized controlled clinical trial
  8. Preventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey
  9. Aged garlic extract lowers blood pressure in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension: a randomised controlled trial
  10. Garlic reduces dementia and heart-disease risk
  11. Garlic as an anti-fatigue agent
  12. Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) oil on exercise tolerance in patients with coronary artery disease
  13. Vitamins and Supplements for Eye Health

  14. Allicin enhances antimicrobial activity of macrophages during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

  15. Protective Effect of Garlic on Cellular Senescence in UVB-Exposed HaCaT Human Keratinocytes
     
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Dr. Deepa Kadam

Dr. Deepa has over 25 years of experience making her one of the notable medical professionals in the field of Ayurveda with expertise in Ayurvedic pharmacology.