Although garlic is avoided by many people due to its pungent odour, it is immensely beneficial for health. Many are ignorant about the hidden benefits of garlic and miss reaping its uses. Additionally, garlic has been popularly used in adding flavour to curries, pastas, pizzas, meat dishes, and sauces.
Garlic has the power to transform any dish and is also popularly known for its medicinal properties. Garlic has antibiotic and anti-microbial properties that is known to inhibit many infections and ailments. Listed below are some of the surprising health benefits of Garlic.
1} Helps Treat Cold and Flu
While we keep running around for treatments to cure a common cold and flu, the solution simply lies in your wonderful kitchen ingredient. Garlic contains anti-inflammatory properties that lower the inflammatory proteins and increases the activity of immune cells in the body. Hence, garlic extract is an effective remedy to reduce the severity of cold and flu.
2} Prevents tooth decay and oral infections
Garlic possesses anti-bacterial properties that prevent dental plaque and cavities. Garlic is also commonly used as an antibiotic to treat multi-drug resistant bacteria. Garlic contains the compound Allicin that fights bacteria by inhibiting the sulphur containing enzymes that bacteria require to thrive. Garlic is also an effective remedy against oral infections like periodontics, sore mouth, and oral thrush.
3} Cure Lung Infection
Garlic is known to contain both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which help in curing various serious ailments too. One remarkable benefit of garlic is that it helps cure lung infection too. Garlic is rich in sulphur containing compound “allicin” which is effective against lung infections.
4} Reduces blood pressure
Garlic contains an enzyme called “angiotensin” that acts like ACE inhibitor drugs that fight high blood pressure. Angiotensin constricts blood vessels and reduces the build-up of plaque. Garlic also contains potent active ingredient “allicin” that helps keep blood pressure under control.
5} Lowers cholesterol
Garlic is rich in manganese, selenium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Garlic is also known to be a blood thinner and prevents cholesterol plaques from sticking to the arterial walls. Garlic is an effective remedy for those suffering from high cholesterol.
6} Prevents food poisoning
Since garlic contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, it is effective against bad bacteria like Salmonella and E.coli that are known to cause food poisoning. Regular consumption of garlic is known to effectively prevent and fight food poisoning.
7} Treats acne
Did you know that garlic can help treat acne too? Due to its anti-bacterial properties, garlic helps fight acne-causing bacteria on the skin. All you need to do is to crush raw garlic and apply it on acne affected area of the skin. Garlic cures acne miraculously in no time.
8} Liver detoxification
Garlic contains sulphur compounds that activate liver enzymes which flush toxins from the body and help in the detoxification process. Garlic contains selenium and allicin that also protects the liver from damage.
Since garlic contains miraculous benefits and possesses no side effects, it is a welcome addition to our healthy diets. Include them in your daily diet and reap its wonderful benefits.