Garlic is known for its many healthy benefits, including helping prevent blood clots and lowering high blood pressure. Garlic is now being studied for its weight loss benefits. Scientists theorize that it may help prevent weight gain and may even cause weight loss. Garlic contains allicin, which suppresses appetite.
Healthy Ingredients
The compounds allicin and diallyl sulfide, a sulfur containing compound, are the main ingredients found in garlic that promote good health. Allicin is destroyed when garlic is cooked, but garlic also contains the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, as well as the mineral selenium.
Garlic and Weight Loss
Researchers from the Weizmann Institute in Israel conducted an experiment on rats to see if garlic helped in reducing hypertension, preventing heart attacks and diabetes. After being fed a high sugar diet for three weeks, one group of rats was given allicin. The allicin group had lower blood pressure as well as faster sugar metabolism than the other group. The researchers also found that the rats given the allicin compound did not gain weight, while the other group of rats did gain weight.
How Garlic Aids in Weight Loss
Garlic acts as an appetite suppressant by sending the brain signals of satiety. These signals help a person slow down eating and stop eating sooner. Garlic also increases the metabolism. A higher metabolism burns calories faster and can lead to weight loss.
Other Health Benefits
In the same study at the Weizmann Institute, it was found that garlic destroyed plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. By removing the buildup, symptoms of diabetes were reduced and blood pressure was lowered and regulated. Garlic also reduced levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol and raised HDL "good" cholesterol levels. Garlic helps regulate blood sugar levels and helps to kill parasites in the body.
Ways to use Garlic
Garlic is an affordable and easy-to-use spice. Adding garlic to soups, salads, dips, sauces and marinades is an easy way to reap its many benefits. Garlic has a stronger flavor when pressed through a garlic press as opposed to being minced.
Garlic powder has a much milder garlic flavor. Garlic powder contains a lower quantity of the same healthy compounds as garlic cloves. Garlic salt should be avoided for its high levels of sodium.
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