Garlic is an edible bulb that has been used for medicinal purposes and as a spice for thousands of years, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Garlic can be enjoyed raw or cooked in a variety of recipes. Garlic will benefit your health in numerous ways. If you do not like the flavor of garlic, consider purchasing garlic vitamins. You can enjoy all the benefits without the strong flavor, body odor or bad breath that are associated with garlic.
Cancer Prevention
According to the National Cancer Institute website, "Preliminary studies suggest that garlic consumption may reduce the risk of developing several types of cancer, especially cancers of the gastrointestinal tract." The website explains that this conclusion is based on a number of studies that use different garlic preparations like capsules, powder and raw, and different amounts in each study. This makes it hard to prescribe an exact amount. Garlic is thought to "offer protective antibacterial properties that block cancer-causing substances, halt the activation of cancer-causing substances, enhance DNA repair, reduce cell proliferation or induce cell death," says the website.
Lower Blood Cholesterol Levels
When you shop for garlic supplements, most bottles boast of garlic's ability to lower blood cholesterol, and this seems to be a valid claim. The U.S. National Library of Medicine website gives garlic a grade B in its cholesterol-lowering effects, which means there is "good scientific evidence for this use." The site says that many studies in humans have shown small reductions in total blood cholesterol and LDL, or bad cholesterol, over periods of 4 to 12 weeks.
Cardiovascular Benefits
The American Heart Association says that "trials show several promising, modest, short-term effects of garlic supplements on lipid and antithrombotic factors." The AHA believes that phytochemicals, which are chemicals in plants, in garlic may reduce the buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls. The AHA website says that much more research is needed in this area, but previous studies show promising conclusions.
Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties
Garlic has a reputation for reducing and preventing illnesses like common colds and the flu. According to the George Mateljan Foundation and its website, the World's Healthiest Foods, garlic can help people stay healthy with its antibacterial and antiviral properties. The site says that garlic can fight infection, kill yeast and fungus, and control infection caused by bacteria and viruses.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Garlic and Cancer Prevention: Questions and Answers
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Garlic
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Garlic
- The George Mateljan Foundation: The World's Healthiest Foods: Garlic
- American Heart Association: Phytochemicals and Cardiovascular Disease
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