Grown all around the world today, the herb of garlic is believed to be native to Siberia, from where it spread to other parts of the world over 5000 years ago. Along with making your pasta sauce delicious, garlic has numerous health benefits that have been recognized over centuries. The Greek physician Hippocrates prescribed garlic to treat all kinds of illnesses in the human body. Its beneficial properties have also been recognized by the modern medicine world, and we are going to tell you all the reasons garlic must be a part of your diet. This article will discuss in detail the uses and the health benefits of garlic and how it can help facilitate the functioning of different body parts. 

What Are The Health Benefits Of Garlic?

Here is the list of 9 health benefits of garlic that you should know about them:

1. Beneficial for heart health

Garlic possesses cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering actions. With its blood pressure and cholesterol-reducing properties, garlic is a natural at bringing down the risk of heart diseases. Garlic essentially increases the production of nitric oxide in the body, which in turn relaxes any hardened blood vessels and prevents the aggregation of platelets. Garlic prevents platelets from binding to proteins, and hence, the formation of blood clots is reduced.

2. Protection from cold and various flu

Garlic is a great ingredient for boosting your immune system. You would have surely heard of this from your moms or grandmothers, who make their handmade recipes and drinks for you while you catch a cold.  According to a survey, the intake of any kind of garlic supplement reduced the risk of a cold by 63%, and the average length of cold symptoms went down from five days to two and a half. So, the next time you see any symptoms of cold coming towards you, do not forget to add garlic to your meal, or your tea, or however you like it.

3. A natural antibiotic

Garlic is one of the best items that act as an in-home remedy and protects you against certain infections. With its superb antibacterial properties, garlic as a supplement can work as an effective protection tool. 

4. Beneficial for athletes

Garlic can be used as a powerful tool to enhance one’s athletic performance and was used in ancient culture for the same. Modern-day athletes all over the world use it to reduce their fatigue incurred through physical labor. Garlic helps by increasing your peak heart rate so that you do not feel fatigued when you exercise for longer.

5. Bad memory? Well, garlic can help

The reasons that affect the cognitive functioning of the brain essentially stem from a decrease in blood flow to the brain, which might be because of the narrowing of arteries, damage to the brain cells, etc. garlic has inflammation-reducing properties, that might help with the problem of a bad memory. Reports and studies also show that garlic extracts can actually be quite helpful for brain functions and neuronal physiology. This in turn makes garlic a potential food item that can be used for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia.

6. Improves bone health

Another addition to the health benefits of garlic is its known benefits for the bones of our body. While no major human studies have been conducted to see the effects of garlic on bones, several rodent studies do suggest that garlic can minimize bone loss, by increasing the production of estrogen in females, which can be highly beneficial to women, after menopause. A daily dose of garlic extract has been found to bring down estrogen deficiency in women by significant levels. The intake of garlic helps bring down the risks of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Hence, add garlic to your balanced diet of veggies and nutritious food, and witness the benefits your body will achieve for yourself.

7. Skin benefits

One of the major benefits of garlic is the huge number of advantages it can have for your lovely skin. Its antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial properties make it a perfect fit to be used as a beauty product. If you have acne or pimples on your face, simply rub garlic over them to kill the bacteria that are responsible for causing this acne and pimples. Use it in the proper amount and help yourself with the problem of free radicals. Topical garlic extracts can also help increase the growth and longevity of your skin cells, which in turn helps in the prevention of anti-ageing signs. 

8. Highly nutritious, with very few calories

One of the greatest benefits of garlic is its low-calorie content, and extremely grateful nutrition in the form of metals like manganese, copper, iron, etc., and vitamins like Vitamins B and C, and a lot of proteins and carbs. In all, garlic contains a little bit of everything you need and now you know how essential it is to add some garlic to your diet.

9. Prevention of lung cancer

A study conducted in China revealed that people who consumed garlic for two out of the seven days of the week had a 44% lower risk of contracting lung cancer. It suggested that even for smokers, the chances of developing lung cancer can be lowered by up to 30 per cent. The major reason behind this, according to the researchers, could be the release of a compound named diallyl sulphide, when garlic bulbs sprout into cloves. This compound contains a lot of antibacterial and antifungal properties and the most important thing that you must note here, is that this compound is largely depleted on cooking or pickling. Hence, consuming garlic in its raw form can be the best option most of the time. 

Uses of Garlic

Let us talk about some garlic uses, most of which you already are versed with. By now, you know how beneficial garlic is and the extremely useful properties it exhibits. Garlic is widely used for diseases and conditions linked to the heart and our blood system, including heart attack, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc. An important study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology also warned that short-term heating causes a reduction in the anti-inflammatory effects of garlic extracts. 

Also Read: Benefits of Drinking Garlic in Hot Water