1. Garlic: It's not Just for Keeping Vampires Away
Thousands of years before Dracula came on the scene, people used garlic for its medicinal properties. Garlic is loaded with all kinds of vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins A and C, potassium and phosphorus. Garlic also contains 75 different compounds, including Allicin, which certain studies have linked to cancer prevention. Amino acids, the building blocks of protein, are also abundant in garlic. Garlic treats a variety of medical conditions, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A regular diet that includes garlic can also help boost your immunity and reduce the incidence of heart disease.
2. Get the Most out of Garlic
Garlic is tasty and nutritious. It has no fat or cholesterol and is low in calories, making it the perfect complement to a healthy diet. To maximize all of garlic's health benefits, especially those linked to fighting cancer, wait fifteen minutes after peeling fresh garlic to cook or chop it. Scientists believe that by waiting, you preserve the cancer-fighting properties, including Allyl sulfur. Simply allow the garlic to sit on your kitchen counter until the fifteen minutes is up.
3. The Jury is Still out on Garlic and Cancer Prevention
There has been a lot of talk about garlic and cancer prevention. However, studies still show conflicting evidence that garlic can prevent cancer. There is strong evidence in studies of cells and animals that garlic helps prevent colorectal cancer and stomach cancer. It also reduces tumor growth. However, because people use garlic in small doses for flavors or condiments, it is difficult to gauge its medical benefits. Until more studies are complete using human subjects, the verdict on garlic and cancer prevention will have to wait.
4. Too Much Garlic can Cause More Than Just bad Breath
An overload of garlic can cause several health problems, along with a bad case of halitosis. It may interfere with anesthesia and cause bleeding because of its anti-clotting properties. Digesting too much garlic can also lead to stomach problems, allergic reactions and dermatitis.
5. The Truth About Garlic Supplements
People taking garlic supplements for cancer prevention should take note. Most garlic supplements contain only trace amounts of Allyl sulfur compounds, which are the major cancer-fighting component in garlic. It is best to stick with garlic oil or powder for more concentrated forms of garlic in its best cancer fighting form.
