Garlic has health benefits and shows promise for prevention of some diseases. It adds flavoring to foods when chopped, crush, pressed, minced or roasted. Eating garlic is generally safe for most adults, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. It may cause breath and body odor because garlic's essential oils remain in the body long after eating. Garlic may also cause heartburn and upset stomach in some people.
Garlic Flavoring
The cloves of the garlic bulb make up the edible portion of the plant. Choose firm bulbs with dry skins and avoid soft or shriveled cloves when buying garlic. Store in a cool, dark place for freshness. Garlic helps flavor such foods as beef, chicken, fish, lamb and pork during cooking. Raw or roasted garlic work well in dishes that include various vegetables, such as beans, cabbage, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach and zucchini, and in pasta meals.
Heart Benefits
Garlic may help lower blood pressure for people with high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease. It may prevent atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, often caused by excess cholesterol in the bloodstream. Garlic may strengthen the arteries, which weaken with age, according to MedlinePlus. Garlic may decrease low-density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol, and raise high-density lipoprotein, or good cholesterol, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. Excess LDL cholesterol builds up in the arteries, while HDL cleans the arteries by picking up excess cholesterol.
Cancer Protection
Garlic contains high amounts of antioxidants, which fight free radicals that can damage cells and lead to cancer or other age-related disorders. Raw or cooked garlic in the diet has been shown to strengthen the immune system to prevent such diseases as colon, stomach, breast, prostate and throat cancers, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, more research is needed. Garlic supplements may reduce fatigue and lack of appetite that accompany chemotherapy treatments.
Fighting Infection
Allicin, a compound in garlic, may have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. The garlic can be eaten to provide these benefits, but also can be used as a topical application to treat fungal skin conditions. Garlic may treat or prevent the common cold, and cold symptoms may disappear faster for people who consume garlic, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. Aside from side effects such as odor, heartburn and upset stomach, some people may have allergic reactions. Garlic may also thin the blood, and this can have an effect on people before and after surgery.
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