People are encouraged to eat healthily, stay clean and take care of their bodies. This includes following the proper diet, avoiding things that can harm your health, and doing your workout.
Nonetheless, some of the foods nature has blessed us with include none but your very own garlic. Dieticians advise that eating garlic raw has proven to be nutritious and tasty when added to your diet. Raw garlic usually has a stronger, more pungent flavour, but it can be consumed safely and can be added to many dishes.
Allicin, a sulfur-containing compound is present in garlic in high amounts. Allicin is responsible for the strong taste and smell of garlic is produced when raw garlic is crushed or chopped. It is also responsible for many of its health benefits. This article discusses some of the health benefits of raw garlic, which you should know about.
9 Health Benefits of Raw Garlic
Raw garlic can be safely eaten. It is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese, and also contains various other nutrients. The following are the health benefits of raw garlic.
1. Boosts brain function
Thanks to essential minerals like vitamin B6, vitamin C, selenium, iron, copper, and potassium, garlic is effective in boosting brain health. Some studies have postulated that garlic could improve memory, prevent brain damage, and support brain health
2. Aids in strengthening the immune system
One of the health benefits of eating raw garlic is enhancing your immune system. Medical studies have shown that raw garlic may help reduce inflammation and strengthen immune function. Raw garlic is loaded with antioxidants and allicin, which play a role in immune health. Thus, adding garlic into your meal can not only make your meal delicious but can also fortify your body to fight off diseases.
3. Has anti-inflammatory properties
Garlic houses allyl sulfides, a cancer-fighting anti-inflammatory chemical that has been demonstrated in experiments to limit cancer progression. Since it is anti-inflammatory, it also aids in protecting the body against free radicals.
4. Boosts liver function
Eating raw garlic has been proven to protect the liver from toxins and aid in reducing blood sugar levels — this aids in efficiently removing toxins from the body, which is beneficial to the entire body. Selenium, a mineral present in garlic can cleanse the liver. It triggers liver enzymes and naturally flushes out the toxins from your body. There are many studies that have attested to the protective effect of garlic against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
5. Improves cardiovascular function
Consumption of raw garlic is directly connected to improved heart health. Garlic is known to lower cholesterol and stabilize blood pressure. In addition, this superfood has anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to reduce the dangers of heart disease.
6. Combats bone weakness
The risk of osteoporosis rises with age, especially for women. Garlic can raise estrogen levels in women approaching menopause when their bones are most vulnerable to osteoporosis. Experts say that eating garlic can help prevent developing bone weakness as you age.
It has also been shown in several trials to help delay the progression of osteoarthritis. While preliminary results appear encouraging, more research is needed to validate this link. However, adding garlic to your diet has, so far, done no harm.
7. Keeps your skin healthy
While you don’t want to turn garlic into a body cream, you can enrich your skin by eating raw garlic. The antibacterial and antifungal qualities of garlic can relieve acne, and its anti-inflammatory effects help promote better circulation. It’s also helpful in carrying the proper nutrient to every part of your body.
8. Regulates blood sugar levels.
According to a 2019 study, garlic can decrease lipid profile and glucose levels in patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. That means that it may help reduce fasting blood sugar levels and improve blood sugar management, which may be beneficial for managing type 2 diabetes.
9. Can be used to treat the common cold
For decades, raw garlic has been used to treat flu and the common cold. Some medical studies suggested that garlic can reduce the number of days sick with cold or flu. Hence, using raw garlic when down with a common cold reduce the severity, and speed up healing time.
Possible Side Effects of Raw Garlic
The following are some of the possible side effects of eating raw garlic:
- Could cause heartburn for people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- May irritate the digestive tract
- It has a very pungent smell and could cause odours.
- May increase the risk of bleeding by preventing the formation of blood clots.
Bottom Line
Raw garlic has so many powerful nutrients and compounds, which accounts for its amazing health benefits. However, you should eat raw garlic in moderation, and always consult your doctor before taking garlic supplements.
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Collins Nwokolo is a human physiologist, writer and health enthusiast. He loves writing helpful articles on health and fitness, which he enjoys sharing with everyone.