While you may not appreciate its overpowering smell, garlic's medicinal prowess is admirable. Its antimicrobial properties have been known for thousands of years, and recent research has also linked this wonder herb to cardiovascular health, cancer prevention and weight loss. Garlic juice may offer higher concentrations of the herb's biologically active nutrients.
Allicin
Allicin is one of the most active ingredients of garlic. It is also responsible for the herb's pungent odor. The amount of allicin in fresh garlic cloves is quite modest, but crushing the garlic induces production of extra molecules. Eating lots of crushed garlic may sound unappealing; consuming fresh garlic juice, on the other hand, could be a quicker and easier way to enrich your body with allicin and other beneficial nutrients that stimulate weight loss.
Appetite Suppression
The brain's ability to detect satiety relies heavily on smell. Strong-smelling foods like garlic may produce potent signals that decrease appetite. According to Medicinal-Herbs-and-Spices.com, garlic also modulates leptin, a hormone released by fat cells and involved in appetite control. People with decreased sensitivity to leptin tend to overeat, but garlic juice may counteract this effect.
Fat Absorption
Garlic juice may also reduce fat absorption, thereby leading to weight loss. Research published in "Biochimica et Biophysica Acta" in November 1989 demonstrated that ajoene, a molecule derived from allicin, inactivates gastric lipase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down fat, in cultured human cells. Although not yet confirmed, the same mechanism may potentially function in the human body.
Additional Benefits
Garlic is loaded with antioxidants, which fight free radicals that can wreak havoc on normal cellular function. Multiple research has shown that this herb may protect against cancer, promote cardiovascular health and strengthen immune response. Garlic's contribution to cellular health and general well-being may also have a positive effect on weight loss and healthy weight maintenance.
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