benefits and harms to health and the human body, useful properties and contraindications, use for women, men, hair, skin

Garlic Is not just a spice that is in demand in cuisines around the world and adds a delicious flavor to dishes. This is also a real find for our health: garlic is able to prevent and eliminate many diseases. This unique food product contains a large amount of vitamins, minerals and trace elements necessary for a person.

It has a positive effect on the work of internal organs, cardiovascular, digestive and other systems of the body, the condition of the skin and hair, is a powerful natural antibiotic, reduces the risk of cancer. Garlic has been recognized by the National Cancer Institute as one of the few vegetables with anti-cancer effects.

Garlic is widely available, you can buy it (its prices are very affordable) or grow it yourself (this vegetable does not require special care). In return, you are guaranteed to receive a flavored, natural nutritional supplement with many health benefits.

General benefits

Garlic is an irreplaceable product in the diet of people who care about their health and longevity. Numerous scientific studies confirm the positive effect of this vegetable crop on the human body. Here are some of the main benefits of eating garlic.

So, thanks to this compound, garlic has a unique property to lower blood pressure – systolic by 10 mm. rt. Art. and diastolic by 8 mm. rt. Art. – due to the expansion of blood vessels.

It is the lack of sulfur in the body that leads to high blood pressure, so additional intake of this macronutrient from food will help stabilize it.

It should be noted that heat treatment of a vegetable destroys allicin, therefore, to obtain the desired effect, garlic must be consumed dry or raw.

American researchers, after a series of experiments, found that adding garlic to the diet can reduce LDL cholesterol by 10% in male patients suffering from hypercholesterolemia.

In rats, garlic slowed down the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. Additional experiments with water-soluble and lipid-soluble compounds in garlic have shown that water-soluble compounds reduce cholesterol synthesis by up to sixty percent.

Thus, daily consumption of 1-2 cloves of raw garlic can normalize the level of LDL cholesterol in our body.

Garlic also works effectively in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Make a fragrant product a must in your daily menu: a clove of raw garlic a day will help prevent heart and blood vessel problems.

It was found to inhibit the destruction of bone tissue caused by oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries in breast cancer). The diallyl disulfide in garlic has also been shown to help inhibit the enzymes that break down the bone matrix and thus prevent bone damage.

To strengthen bone tissue, it is enough to consume two to three cloves of raw garlic per day.

Thanks to its strong antibacterial effect, garlic removes harmful enterobacteria from the intestines. In addition, garlic effectively fights against Helicobacter pylori (Helicobacter pylori) – a bacterium that lives in the pylorus and infects various areas of the stomach, as well as parts of the duodenum.

Scientists from India conducted an experiment in which patients ate 10 mg of raw garlic daily for two months, and found that regular consumption of this daily allowance before breakfast prevents the risk of thromboembolism.

Clinical studies by Chinese oncologists have shown that the spicy vegetable reduces the chances of tumors by 33% and stomach cancer by more than 50%.

Hence the conclusion: to reduce the risk of cancer, you should adhere to a healthy lifestyle and eat appropriate foods, which is exactly what garlic belongs to. Just one clove of garlic in the morning is a powerful cancer prevention.

Numerous studies support the fact that adding garlic to the diet (one to two cloves per day) increases the number of different types of immune cells in the human body and, accordingly, boosts immunity.

In addition, garlic can prevent the onset of heart disease by destroying free oxygen radicals that negatively affect the body. Just one clove of this product is an indispensable aid in the fight against free radicals.

The benefits of this product are confirmed by experiments: garlic, which was given to laboratory rats, helped to reduce the amount of heavy metals. Another study showed that pickled garlic was more effective in reducing the amount of cadmium in experimental animals.

If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, be sure to consume a couple of cloves of raw garlic every day. This will be an excellent prevention of diabetes and will help in the fight against the disease.

Garlic also stops the proliferation of Escherichia coli in the urinary tract. Three cloves of garlic added daily to food will help prevent UTIs and help treat pre-existing kidney diseases and infections.

Garlic also reduces the hypersensitivity of asthmatics, so in addition to massage with oil, use raw garlic to prevent and treat these diseases.

However, to date, unfortunately, there is no clear scientific evidence for this phenomenon. And yet, a couple of cloves of garlic a day won’t hurt.

The bioactive compound S-allylcysteine, which we mentioned at the beginning of the article, has a neuroprotective effect, that is, it prevents the destruction of brain neurons.

And the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of garlic prevent further deterioration of the patient’s condition. Therefore, without hesitation, start eating three to four cloves of garlic a day – this will help avoid the occurrence of the above diseases.

In addition to eating this product, garlic extract is used as a mouthwash. Simply put, the use of toothpastes and rinses that contain garlic extract has a positive effect on the health of the entire oral cavity.

S-allylmercaptocysteine, which is found in a spicy vegetable, repairs damaged areas of the organ, and the antioxidant properties of garlic oil provide reliable protection.

Benefits for women

Yeast infections are most commonly found in women, and these infections have unpleasant symptoms. Garlic is an effective natural remedy against them.

Its antifungal properties stop yeast from multiplying and is also highly effective in treating yeast infection symptoms. Studies have shown that garlic extract is effective against infections caused by Candida yeast.

For the prevention and control of the disease, it is advisable to use two or three pieces of garlic, but in no case should it be applied to the area of ​​infection.

The compounds contained in garlic have a destructive effect on cancer cells, stopping the process of their growth and reproduction. That is why regular consumption of garlic is a powerful prevention and help in the treatment of this type of cancer.

Thus, garlic has a positive effect on improving sexual health, increasing libido and increasing vitality.

Skin Benefits

To prevent and prevent the appearance of acne, you should eat a clove of garlic daily with cold water, and always observe personal hygiene and keep the skin clean and moisturized.

Since it is an inflammatory process, it is likely (although not yet scientifically confirmed) that garlic, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, can be used to relieve symptoms of an unpleasant disease. This can be achieved by consuming three cloves of garlic with onions, broccoli and beet juice every day.

The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds contained in this product neutralize oxygen free radicals, slowing down oxidative processes.

In addition, garlic promotes the synthesis of new – healthy – skin cells. To prevent the formation of wrinkles and other signs of aging, it is recommended to regularly consume a clove of garlic with honey and lemon in the morning.

You can also make a “cocktail of youth”: chop the garlic and fill it with water, and in the morning drink the resulting infusion.

Add oil massage to proper nutrition, physical activity: heat the base oil (mustard or olive) and add two or three cloves of garlic to it. When you start to smell, remove the garlic and let the oil cool slightly, but not completely. Massage the problem areas with warm oil in a circular motion.

Hair Benefits

Alopecia areata is a fairly common autoimmune disease that is characterized by hair loss on the head, face, and other parts of the body. To date, there is no one hundred percent effective remedy to eliminate this problem, so numerous studies are underway.

One such study, conducted in Iran, examined the effect of garlic gel on the treatment of alopecia. For three months, participants in the experiment, taking corticosteroids to combat the disease, additionally applied garlic gel to their skin.

It was found that this treatment plan adds to the effectiveness of therapy aimed at treating foci of alopecia. Also, for the prevention of the disease, it is useful to use garlic, adding it to salads and other dishes, but only in its raw form, since after heat treatment it can partially lose its beneficial properties.

Benefits for men

Scientists from Prague have proven this experimentally. Therefore, if a man wants to become even more desirable for women, he needs to eat twelve grams of garlic daily.

A clear advantage of a fragrant product is its effect on potency. This becomes possible due to increased blood circulation: with the systematic use of garlic, the blood flow to the organs (including the sexual ones) becomes greater and, accordingly, male strength increases significantly.

In addition, by blocking the production of cortisol, this product promotes the production of testosterone, a hormone that helps to build muscle mass and maintain it.

Harm and contraindications

Chemical composition of the product

Garlic Nutritional Value (100g) and Percent Daily Values:

conclusions

Despite the possible harm, it is safe to say: such a powerful natural antibiotic and an assistant in the fight for a healthy body is still to be looked for.

And if you remember its widespread prevalence, price and availability all year round, then all doubts – whether there is or not – will disappear by themselves. Take the first and most important step to health and longevity, starting today.

Sources of Research

The main studies on the benefits and dangers of garlic have been carried out by foreign doctors and scientists. Below you can find the primary sources of research on the basis of which this article was written:

Additional useful information about garlic

How to use

Garlic is a valuable product in all forms, although, without a doubt, the use of raw spices is preferable – more nutrients are retained.

This makes the flavor of the dish brighter and richer, as well as its health benefits.

The health benefits of garlic can be increased by chopping, slicing, or crushing it and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before adding it to a dish.

How to choose

To get the most out of garlic, you need to know how to choose the right one.

• The two main attributes of a good product are firmness and dryness.
• The fruit must be ripe and fresh.
• Choose a small size garlic that has a subtler taste.
• The head of garlic should have large cloves and be firm to the touch.
• The maturity of a product can be judged by its teeth. In ripe garlic, the cloves will be felt more clearly than in unripe.
• Excessive husk is another indicator of immaturity.
• Sprouted garlic is not recommended to buy. It has a sharp, unpleasant taste and minimal health benefits.

How to store

In order to avoid sprouting and rotting of the bulbs, you should know how to properly store the garlic.

• A fundamental condition for long-term and high-quality storage of garlic, in which all its beneficial properties are preserved, is preliminary drying immediately after being removed from the soil. After that, the stems are cut, selecting only large, healthy and intact heads.
• It is recommended to store garlic in a well-ventilated place out of sunlight.
• The optimum humidity is 50-70%, the temperature is from two to five degrees for a summer harvest or from eighteen to twenty degrees for a winter one.
• The containers that are most suitable for long-term storage of the product: cardboard or plywood boxes with holes for improved air circulation; baskets with not too tight weaving; nylon stockings; glass containers, paper bags, plastic containers.
• Garlic can be stored in a cellar. Plywood boxes with holes are installed in it, laying out the garlic heads on a layer of salt 2-3 centimeters high, and filling them with the same layer on top. In a dry cellar, you can also hang braids and bunches of garlic or nylon stockings filled with heads.
• Refrigeration is the ideal solution. Pre-dried garlic is stored in paper bags, cling film, glass jars or cloth bags.
• Storage in the freezer ensures that the product can be stored until the next season. Peeled garlic cloves are wrapped in foil and placed in the freezer. However, you should be aware that in this case, the taste may change slightly.
• For storage in glass jars, dried uncleaned heads are placed in sterilized containers without filling.
• A second option is also possible, in which the heads are sprinkled with flour / salt, which prevents rotting and the appearance of excessive moisture. In both cases, the jars need to be stored in a cool place.

History of occurrence

Garlic is a spice with a history dating back centuries. It is one of the most ancient vegetable crops. The first mentions of garlic can be found in India and Egypt 5000 years ago, in the Babylonian (about 4500 years ago) and Chinese (4000 years ago) cultures.

Garlic originally appeared in Central Asia, and it was from there that it spread throughout the world after people began to migrate from continent to continent. Many varieties of spice are now known, and about ten million metric tons of the product are produced every year around the world. The leading crop producer is China, which accounts for 65% of the total world production of garlic.

How and where is it grown

Interesting Facts

• In honor of garlic, the Americans named one of the famous cities in the United States. This city is Chicago, which means “wild garlic” in Indian.
• In the United States of America, the charitable Garlic Festival is traditional (since 1998). The funds raised during the event are used to support children with mental disorders.
• This vegetable is one of the sweetest. Garlic contains 20% sugar, but its sweetness is subtle due to the presence of many specific compounds.
• Garlic is an extremely high-calorie vegetable. A kilogram of garlic is 1400-1500 kcal.
• The smell after eating garlic can be easily eliminated by drinking milk or eating any high-fat dairy product.
• Garlic, like onions, is toxic to cats and dogs.
• In ancient times, in many countries of the world, this product was considered the strongest amulet against evil spirits.
• Garlic has been repeatedly found during excavations of Egyptian mummies – in front of closed eyes and in internal cavities. This made it possible to put forward a hypothesis about its ritual significance.
• In ancient India, garlic was widely used as a medicine, but it was not eaten because of its pungent odor.
• In 1720, garlic saved the lives of several thousand European inhabitants during the plague.
• The ancient Romans called garlic (because of its specific smell) “smelly rose” and “poor man’s molasses.”