4 Health Benefits of Garlic

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4 Health Benefits of Garlic

There is nothing quite like the aroma of roasted garlic in a kitchen to activate your taste buds. It is a wonderful herb for boosting the flavour of curries, pastas, stir-fries, dips, and so many other recipes, all while supporting your health!

Thanks to garlic’s organosulfur compounds (especially the main active component allicin) this vegetable has made a significant contribution to herbal medicine and the culinary world for thousands of years. [1]

Flavour is just one of the amazing benefits of eating garlic. By including it in your meals and consuming it in concentrated supplement form, you’ll also be rewarded with the following health benefits:

Cardiovascular Support

Eating garlic regularly is a simple and delicious way to maintain cardiovascular health when combined with a sensible diet and exercise. [2] In the kitchen, garlic is a highly versatile ingredient that’s even more nutritious when broken open.

Simply chop, slice, or crush the cloves into your go-to sauces, stir-fries, and soups, or roast them whole for an out-of-this-world blast of flavour.

Healthy Blood Lipid Levels

Garlic is traditionally used in herbal medicine to help reduce elevated blood lipid levels (hyperlipidemia) in adults. [3] [4] This is a key part of its cardiovascular benefits and makes it a popular alternative therapy for people with hyperlipidemia.

A meta-analysis of clinical studies found that hyperlipidemia patients can benefit from garlic in a range of doses and formats. Symptoms were shown to improve in patients who took. [1]

  • Garlic powder
  • Garlic oil
  • Raw or aged garlic

Upper Respiratory Tract

Garlic is a must-have ingredient for anyone who is looking to support immune function or is prone to congestion. It is traditionally used in herbal medicine to help relieve symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections and catarrhal conditions. [5] 

The nutrients in garlic work with the body’s immune system cells to help relieve congestion from inflamed mucous membranes in the nose and throat. [4] [5]

Versatility

In addition to its flavour, one of the best things about garlic is its versatility. There are so many ways to enjoy garlic. Whether you choose to eat it fresh, dried, roasted, or as a concentrated natural health product, you’re sure to benefit.

Patience Lister, BSc

Patience Lister, BSc

A wellness writer who helps to inspire healthier & more sustainable food and supplement choices.

References :
  1. Sun YE, Wang W & Qin J. Anti-hyperlipidemia of garlic by reducing the level of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018; 97(18): e0255.
  2. Varshney R & Budoff MJ. Garlic and heart disease. J Nutr, 2016;146(2): 416S-21S.
  3. Ried K, Toben C, Fakler P. Effect of garlic on serum lipids: an updated meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2013; 71(5): 282-99.
  4. Ried K. Garlic lowers blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, regulates serum cholesterol, and stimulates immunity: An updated meta-analysis and review. J Nutr. 2016; 146(2): 389S-96S.
  5. Nantz MP, Rowe CA, Muller CE, et al. Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and gd-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention. Clin Nutr. 2012; 31(3): 337-44.

 

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