There are so many health benefits of garlic that maybe you never heard before, because it has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. The Romans and Egyptians ancient workers used garlic to increase their physical endurance. In the 20th century, garlic used to fight global influenza pandemic. Currently, more than 5,000 scientific publications from around the world have gradually confirmed the health benefits of garlic, which include antibiotic properties, anti-cholesterol, anti-hypertensive, anti-fungal and many others.
Garlic health benefits due to the content of some vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, B, and C, polyphenols and sulfide, adenosine, also potassium and selenium. In addition because it is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, garlic can help the process of healing and the prevention of infection.
A study also says that the benefits of garlic are able to block cell damage and the development of tumor cells, this is due to the antioxidant effects of phytochemicals which are owned by onions. Natural antioxidants in garlic may help the immune system work more optimally in counteracting free radicals, which causes degeneration and premature aging.
15 Garlic Health Benefits
1. Improving heart health
Eating garlic helps you in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure, which in turn keep the heart healthy. Garlic can also prevent heart disease and stroke. Garlic has cleansing properties that allow it to cleanse the arteries and veins. It thins the blood and makes blood flow easy.
2. Prevent blood clots
As mentioned before, garlic has cleansing properties. Eating garlic helps in thinning the blood to cleanse the arteries and veins. Blood flow easier. In addition, garlic also increase the production of nitric oxide in the blood, which helps dilate blood vessels and dissolve blood clots.
3. Cure coughs and colds
Sulfur contained in garlic makes it have a distinctive odor and taste that can enhance and accelerate the activities of mucous membranes in the respiratory tract, which helps relieve compression and mucus. Raw garlic contains phytochemicals that may help kill bacteria and viruses that cause disease.
4. Preventing infection
The content of Vitamin C, B6, allicin, potassium, calcium, selenium, magnesium, and flavonoids in garlic may help prevent and treat infections. These components kill bacteria, fungi and other viruses.
5. Fight against cancer
Onions also have content to fight cancer, especially cancer of the stomach and colon. Organosulfida contained in garlic helps the liver to process toxic chemicals, including cancer-causing chemical compounds some. Epidemiological studies show that people who consume lots of garlic lower risk of stomach and colon cancer.
6. Lowering cholesterol
Some research in the world claimed that garlic in various forms can reduce cholesterol. A study also says that garlic is an agent for reducing fat. Garlic supplements is the most important part in the treatment of high cholesterol. Overall, a decrease of 12% of the total cholesterol. This decrease occurred after 4 weeks of treatment.
7. Anti-inflammatory
Garlic contains anti-inflammatory, so if you have a fever or sore throat, chewing garlic will make your throat cured soon.
8. Anti-bacterial
Garlic is also a good anti-bacterial. If you experience gastrointestinal infection, then mix the chopped garlic raw in salads. Your digestion will be more smoothly.
9. Antioxidants
Antioxidants contained in garlic can also help expel toxins from the body. This benefit is not only good for health, but also may help slow aging.
10. Pain relief
If you suffer from arthritis, crushed raw garlic and then compress to the pain knee or bone. Garlic will relieve the pain.
11. Control blood sugar
If you suffer from diabetes, garlic is also good to help control the amount of sugar in the blood.
12. Improve blood circulation
Chewing garlic can also help improve blood circulation and open blocked blood vessels.
13. Overcoming toothache
Garlic also has analgesic properties, antibacterial and anesthetizing, which can help cure toothaches. You can pour the garlic oil on the troubled tooth to alleviate excruciating pain.
14. Treating acne
Garlic has antibiotic properties and contains compounds that are useful to clean the blood. But not entirely using garlic only,but you have to do further treatment.
15. Treating stomach ulcers
Garlic also can be used as stomach ulcers pain barrier.
Above are only a little health benefits of garlic, there are so many more benefits that we can get from it. Even so, garlic also has side effects such as bad breath. In consuming garlic should not be eaten raw, as they may interfere with the stomach. Therefore, it is recommended that first garlic stewed, fried, or roasted before eating. But garlic should not be used in any form when there is disease in the stomach and colon.
Garlic Nutrition Facts
| Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 149 Kcal | 7.5% |
| Carbohydrates | 33.06 g | 25% |
| Protein | 6.36 g | 11% |
| Total Fat | 0.5 g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g | 5.5% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 3 µg | 1% |
| Niacin | 0.700 mg | 4% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.596 mg | 12% |
| Pyridoxine | 1.235 mg | 95% |
| Riboflavin | 0.110 mg | 8% |
| Thiamin | 0.200 mg | 17% |
| Vitamin A | 9 IU | <1% |
| Vitamin C | 31.2 mg | 52% |
| Vitamin E | 0.08 mg | 0.5% |
| Vitamin K | 1.7 µg | 1.5% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 153 mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 401 mg | 8.5% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 181 mg | 18 % |
| Copper | 0.299 mg | 33% |
| Iron | 1.70 mg | 21% |
| Magnesium | 25 mg | 6% |
| Manganese | 1.672 mg | 73% |
| Phosphorus | 153 mg | 22% |
| Selenium | 14.2 µg | 26% |
| Zinc | 1.160 mg | 10.5% |
| Phyto-nutrients | ||
| Carotene-ß | 5 µg | -- |
| Crypto-xanthin-ß | 0 µg | -- |
| Lutein-zeaxanthin | 16 µg | -- |