Health Benefits of Garlic
- Introduction
Garlic is an herb which is related to the onion, chives and leeks. It is a plant in the Alliums (onion) family. Garlic has segment, each segment of a garlic bulb is known as clove. Each single bulb has 10 to 20 cloves, take or give. It grows in various parts of the world. Due to its delicious taste and strong smell, it’s become a popular ingredient in cooking. It is used commonly for conditions that are related to blood system and heart.
Allicin is a chemical which is produced by garlic. This help to garlic in some certain conditions. It also makes garlic smells.
People commonly use garlic for high levels of cholesterol, hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and other fats in the blood. But there is limited evidence that support these uses. There is also no good evidence which support its use for COVID-19. However, throughout the ancient history, garlic is used for good health and it was seen as it has great medicinal properties.
- Etymology of Garlic
The term garlic is derived from the Old English, garlēac. The meaning of garlēac gar (spear) and leek, as a “spear-shaped leek”.
- Origin of Garlic
Middle Asia is the native land of the garlic. It originates from West China which is around Tien Shah Mountains to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The Egyptians were familiar with many poisonous, aromatic, medicinal, and spicy plants.
- History of Garlic
As far back as 4000 years ago, Garlic was grown in China. 5000 years ago, Indian and Egyptian cultures referred to the garlic in the Old World. There is a historical evidence for its use by the Chinese 2000 years ago and by the Babylonians 4500 years ago.
The nutritional information of garlic is described below. One clove of garlic contains following nutrition.
- 0.og fibre
- 2% manganese
- 1% Selenium
- 1% Vitamin C
- 2% Vitamin B6
- Decent amounts of phosphorus, vitamin B1, calcium, iron, potassium and Copper.
- Health Benefits of Garlic
Garlic has many health benefits. It plays an important role in reducing the risk of many chronic diseases. The health benefits of garlic are described below in an effective and detailed manner.
- Better Blood Pressure
Garlic has anti-inflammatory benefits which help to better blood pressure. Several studies have showed that garlic play an important role to prevent from blood pressure. Almost 10% sample of the study who take garlic as supplements have lower risk of blood pressure.
- Lower Cholesterol
Garlic can lower the cholesterol level and it has the ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering the cholesterol level. A study was conducted by researchers, in which they found that over a period of five months the participants who took garlic supplement saw their cholesterol level go down.
- Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Garlic has the ability to lower down the risk of blood pressure and cholesterol level; it helps the ginger to reduce the risk of heart disease. By relaxing the hardened blood vessels and preventing from platelet aggregation, garlic reduces the risk of heart disease. It increases the production of the nitric oxide which helps to keeps the blood vessels in relaxed condition.
- Garlic for Colds and Flu
Digested garlic helps to reduce the length of flu and cold symptoms and also boost the immune system. Many studies showed that garlic help to prevent from flu and colds in an effective manner. If we use garlic on daily basis, we may prevent from cold and flu and also prevent from several diseases.
- Better Athletic Performance
Ancient cultures used the garlic to reduce the fatigue of the people doing physical labour and also enhance the performance of the athlete. In Greece, the Olympic athletes eventually started using the garlic to enhance their athletic ability. Now days it is used as the garlic supplement to prevent from chronic disease. Many studies also showed some evidence that garlic is very beneficial to enhance the ability of athletes. Further studies are needed to be conducted.
- Stronger Bones
Garlic may help in stronger the bones. It is said that it can help to reduce bone loss by increasing the level of estrogens in females which is beneficial for bone health after menopause. Adding the daily dose of garlic, could also help the risk of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
- Improved Memory
Garlic plays an important role in improving our memory. Researchers suggested that 90mg of taking the garlic twice a day for one year and six months might help to improve the performance of memory in adults. These results are promising because through these findings, researchers are able to understand that as well as garlic’s antioxidant properties and the reduction in the brain inflammation led to fewer declines in neuro-cognition, which is also the ability to reason and think.
- Super Skin
Garlic is known as the super food because it has various beneficial properties such as antifungal, antioxidant and antibacterial. The antioxidant qualities of garlic protect our skin and also prevent damage from the free radicals. It is also believed that garlic has the ability to increase the growth as well as longevity of skin cells. That is why it is said that using the garlic extract over time may have anti-aging effects.
Summary
To sum up, it can conclude that, Garlic has many health benefits. It is an herb which is related to the chives, onion and leeks. It is used for many chronic conditions related to blood system as well as related to heart disease. It can also conclude that, garlic produces a chemical which may help to prevent from various chronic diseases such as blood pressure, heart disease and many other diseases. It is very useful in flu and colds. It is also very useful for our skin. That is why, it is said that garlic is very important for our health because it has beneficial effects for our body.
