The Top 10 Health Benefits of Garlic

Did you know that the average person consumes 2 pounds of garlic each year?

For thousands of years, before this spice was used to flavor your favorite dishes, it was employed as a medical treatment in ancient cultures. The health benefits of garlic were used by Chinese, Egyptian, and Roman civilizations. There is substantial documentation of their usage of garlic for its medicinal properties.

Garlic consumption has been shown to have numerous fantastic health benefits for the body. From ancient times to modern research, garlic has maintained its reputation as an incredible natural remedy. Let’s look at the most crucial health benefits of garlic and understand why this kitchen staple is so good for you.

Why Is Garlic Healthy For You?

Though it was not widely known, experts now understand that sulfur compounds contribute heavily to the health benefits of garlic.

By slicing, chopping, or crushing garlic bulbs, the thio-Sulfinite chemicals in them are converted into allicin—a fantastic substance that is a primary source of the health benefits of garlic. However, while this appears to be true in theory, let’s dive deeper into the actual health benefits of garlic.

1. Garlic Helps Boost Your Body's Immune System

Garlic Helps Boost Your Body's Immune System

Your body’s immunity is what keeps it from getting sick in the first place, and it also aids in the fight against illness when the situation calls for it. Garlic offers an immune system boost to help prevent colds and the flu virus.

Children get six to eight colds each year, while adults get two to four. The health benefits of garlic shine in its ability to protect against cough, fever, and cold illnesses, even when eating it raw.

In fact, eating two chopped garlic cloves every day is the best way to benefit. In some households around the world, families hang garlic cloves on a string around their children’s necks to help them with congestion. The powerful immune-boosting benefits of garlic make it a culinary superfood for protecting against common ailments.

2. Garlic Helps Reduce High Blood Pressure

Garlic Helps Reduce High Blood Pressure

Strokes and heart attacks are two of the most significant health concerns worldwide. High blood pressure is a considerable risk factor for heart disease. It’s thought to cause about 70% of strokes, heart attacks, and chronic heart failure. High blood pressure is the cause of 13.5 percent of deaths worldwide.

Because they are among the most significant causes of death, addressing one of their primary causes, high blood pressure, is extremely important.

Garlic is a fantastic spice to include in your diet for those suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension. However, even if you are not a lover of garlic, try minced garlic which has a milder flavor. It will still give you the health benefits of garlic, such as lowering high blood pressure, treating fever, and many more.

Keep in mind that you must make sure that the amount of pre-prepared garlic you consume is the same as four cloves of garlic each day. Be sure to talk to your doctor before changing your diet.

3. Garlic Helps Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Garlic Helps Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a fatty and critical component in the blood. There are two kinds of cholesterol: “bad” LDL cholesterol and “good” HDL cholesterol. An imbalance, with too much LDL cholesterol and not enough HDL cholesterol, can lead to some serious health issues.

Garlic has been shown to lower total cholesterol and LDL levels by 10 to 15 percent.

Furthermore, eating garlic does not influence your HDL or good cholesterol levels. If you have a family history of heart disease or are dealing with heart-related issues, incorporating garlic into your diet can be a natural and flavorful step towards a healthier heart.

4. Garlic Can Help With Prevention of Cancer

Garlic Can Help With Prevention of Cancer

The health benefits of garlic don’t end with the heart. Here is another reason why your body can benefit from an extra dose of this onion family member.

The health benefits of garlic, particularly in the realm of cancer prevention, have become more of a subject of interest. According to research, consuming fresh garlic can help lessen the risk of colon cancer. Similarly, according to the Iowa Women’s Health Study, women who ate garlic regularly with other vegetables and fruits had a 35% lower chance of getting colon cancer.

However, researchers agree that more studies are still needed in this area to fully comprehend the extent of the health benefits of garlic in preventing cancer.

5. Garlic Has Antibiotic Properties

Garlic Has Antibiotic Properties

Garlic contains allicin, a bioactive antibiotic that can help fight infections and bacteria when cloves are sliced, squashed, or diced. These health benefits of garlic extend to suppressing the growth of potentially harmful substances, like:

  • fungi elements
  • Protozoa elements
  • viral infections
  • numerous bacteria like Salmonella

Allicin is considered a potent natural antibiotic, and its effectiveness is noteworthy. When it’s used in conjunction with conventionally prescribed antibiotics, garlic can provide added support in battling infections.

6. Garlic May Prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Garlic May Prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Garlic, with its high volume of antioxidants, can help prevent oxidative damage from occurring in your body. These antioxidant properties can help prevent certain cognitive diseases, like dementia and Alzheimer’s.

While the health benefits of garlic are noteworthy, you should still approach this claim with a pinch of, well, garlic. It’s important to note that taking high doses of garlic supplements doesn’t grant you immunity to these diseases. The medicinal properties of garlic can only improve health to a certain point.

7. Garlic Can Improve Athletic Performance

Garlic Can Improve Athletic Performance

This ingredient is one of the earliest performance enhancers available. In ancient times, the health benefits of garlic were used to alleviate weariness and boost the endurance of laborers. Even Greek Olympic athletes would consume garlic to enhance their athletic performance.

Here are just a few of the athletic benefits of garlic:

  • Managing cholesterol levels
  • Lowering blood pressure
  • Boosting immunity
  • Reducing the length of illness

A healthy heart and body are key to maintaining your fitness. Ultimately, incorporating garlic into your diet helps delay fatigue during physical exertion, making it a natural ally for those aiming to enhance their athletic performance.

8. Garlic Helps Detox Your Body

Garlic Helps Detox Your Body

Detoxification is the process of getting rid of things that don’t belong in the body, and it plays an important role in maintaining good health and longevity.

In our day-to-day lives, we are exposed to a wide range of chemicals and compounds. Many of these compounds are not healthy and may even be detrimental to the body. Some of these chemicals and compounds include:

  • Pesticides and chemicals used in agriculture
  • Radiation etc from nuclear plants
  • Personal care products containing chemicals
  • Household cleaners
  • Other household products

Garlic is a powerful detox food that promotes glutathione production by various liver enzymes. It also provides other important detoxifying components, including multiple bioactive selenium and sulfur compounds. By incorporating garlic into your diet, you not only add rich flavor to your dishes but also assist your body in the crucial task of detoxifying from the challenges of the modern world.

9. Garlic Packs a Low-Calorie Health Punch

Garlic Packs a Low-Calorie Health Punch

Garlic is a tasty way to add nutritional benefits without sacrificing many of your daily calories. One clove of garlic is a nutritional powerhouse, containing essential nutrients like B6, fiber, and selenium.

These components not only enhance the taste of your meals, but may also contribute to positive effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels. By embracing these health benefits of garlic you can savor some low-calorie goodness in every bite.

10. Garlic May Improve Bone Health

Garlic May Improve Bone Health

Garlic has also emerged as a valuable ally for bone health, particularly in menopausal women. When women experience bone loss during menopause due to reduced estrogen production, garlic can assist in reducing oxidative stress.

Garlic plays a supportive role by encouraging estrogen production, potentially halting bone loss and offering protection against conditions like osteoarthritis. Fortifying your bones and safeguarding against age-related bone concerns is yet another natural benefit of garlic.

Keep Calm and Garlic On!

Now that we have discussed the health benefits of garlic, whether raw or taken as a supplement, you can take the first step to a healthier, better you. Not to mention that there are even more healthy advantages to using Spice World when you incorporate the delicious health benefits of ginger and the health benefits of onions too!

Would you like to find out more about our garlic products that are fit for every occasion?

Then contact us whether you prefer conveniently minced garlic, easy-to-use peeled cloves or whole bulbs. Our garlic will impart a strong, delicious taste to your cuisine!

Spice World, Inc.
8101 Presidents Dr
Orlando, FL 32809
(407) 851-9432