Garlic is biologically termed as Allium sativum and it has been authorized as the world's healthiest food. Garlic has great importance in Ayurveda since ages.
The various health benefits of garlic make it the most desirable additive in Indian cooking.
It can be eaten raw or can be fried and added to the curry. Adding garlic to your curry simply increases the taste and smell of the curry to a new height.
Garlic can be consumed in many forms. It can be used as whole cloves or made into a smooth paste or powder. It can be consumed in the form of supplements like garlic extract or garlic oil.
Garlic is full of medical properties. It can fight a number of diseases. It is good for oral health. It is store-house of nutrients and contains very low calories.
Read on to know about some of the health benefits of garlic. Though you hate the taste, include it in your meals and prevent heart disease.
Minerals and Vitamins
Garlic is full of minerals and vitamins like selenium, manganese, vitamins C and B6 and fibre.
It also has traces of phosphorus, iron, potassium, calcium, copper and vitamin B1.
It boosts our immunity
According to research, regular eating of garlic can boost your immune system and can reduce cold and its related symptoms by almost 60%.
Garlic is loaded with antioxidants.
So, dieticians always advise people who are weak to consume more garlic in their meals.
It can reduce our blood pressure
Garlic has a compound known as polysulphide.
The red blood cells convert these polysulphides to hydrogen sulphide, which help in lowering the blood pressure.
People can include garlic in their diet or eat it raw to keep blood pressure under control.
It can help you reduce your weight
Regular consumption of garlic can help your body to reduce the fat stores.
Garlic also suppresses our appetite by stimulating the satiety centre in the brain.
Garlic prevents the formation of blood clots
Garlic has a compound known as ajoene.
Ajoene has anti-clotting property which helps to prevent blood clots.
Thus, regular eating of garlic may prevent blood clotting and also keep you safe from risks of cardiovascular diseases.
Garlic protects your heart
Regular addition of garlic in our meals helps to preserve the elasticity of your arteries.
It also combats the free radicals and guards the heart against them.
Ajoene present in garlic has anti-clotting property which helps to prevent blood clots.
Polysulphide present in garlic helps in dilating the blood vessels.
All of these help in keeping your heart healthy.
It reduces the bad cholesterol
Allicin is a compound found in garlic.
It helps to moderate the levels of triglyceride present in the blood, thus reduces the level of total cholesterol in the body.
Garlic fulfills iron deficiency
Diallyl sulphide present in garlic improves iron metabolism by increasing the formation of ferroportin which helps in the absorption and release of iron.
So, garlic fulfills our iron deficiency and prevents anaemia.