The Amazing Food Called Garlic

Originating from Central Asia, garlic is highly used in Asian cuisines though it is also a part of all the types of cuisines in the world. Its specific aroma and distinct flavor are repugnant to some people, so they avoid foods containing garlic. These people obviously don’t know that garlic has medicinal properties which can make them stay healthy.

Let’s see what the other benefits that garlic consumption can bring us.

 It is good against cold & flu

Whether you take it raw or cooked,  2 or 3 garlic cloves a day can boost your overall immunity level, not only provide you relief from cold and flu. Many health experts suggest that garlic can fight various kinds of infections. This is why eating it daily can help your body fight various bacteria and viruses.

 It is good against cancer

There is a strong link between eating garlic and not getting cancer. If you consume it regularly, it has a significant effect in lowering risk of various types of cancer-related troubles of the digestive system. Scientists have proven that garlic has anti-bacterial properties that normally block the formation of cancer-causing cells.

Garlic also stimulates the immune system which is, by itself, a good fighter against cancer and other diseases. But beware, you should avoid cooking garlic (it is better to eat it raw) since it can cause a reduction in its anti-cancer properties.

 It is good for your heart

Your heart can benefit greatly if you consume garlic on a regular basis. It is a good fighter against a high blood pressure, heart attack, atherosclerosis and various other heart diseases. Regular consumption of crushed garlic, which contains a sulfur-rich compound named allicin, leads to the relaxation of the blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and, therefore, reduces the risk of a heart attack.

Garlic also has a thinning effect on the blood. This means that it enables a smooth passage of blood through arteries, thus preventing heart attacks and strokes.

 It is good for your skin

Did you know that garlic can help you solve your zits and acne issues? If you start consuming 2 to 3 garlic cloves with warm water every morning, you will see the amazing results in one week. Garlic helps in eliminating the toxins and gives the natural cleanse to your internal system. It would be redundant to mention now that when you are healthy within, you will have a healthy skin.

Apart from dealing with acne issues, garlic helps to deal with various other skin disorders. With its revitalizing properties, garlic helps in fighting the free radical effect on skin and improve elasticity in aging skin. Topical application of garlic on the skin infected with fungal bacteria can bring relief. It can also bring benefits in treating skin conditions such as eczema, ringworms, and athlete’s foot.

 It is good for your hair

You have probably heard of the amazing benefits of onion in improving your hair health. Garlic can also be helpful since it is good for hair loss. Massaging your scalp with garlic infused oil or gently rubbing a crushed garlic on the scalp can induce shine but also prevent loss and even stimulate the growth of hair.

The Bad side of garlic usage

 Bad Breath

If you’ve eaten it raw, you know what we are talking about. It is a specific smell which stays with you for many hours and let’s other people realize you’ve eaten it. This garlic breath is not the only smell it causes since excessive garlic intake can cause foul body odor. It is even a worse thing, but it doesn’t happen to everyone, just to the people who eat it in every meal every day. This happens because garlic contains a substance called Allyl Methyl Sulfide (AMS) which gets absorbed into the blood and travels to the lungs (causing garlic breath) and also gets exuded from the pores of the skin (causing body odor).

 Allergies

Allergies are becoming more frequent in the recent years. There is also an allergy connected with the consumption of garlic. The common symptoms are nausea, mouth and throat ulcers, diarrhea, irritable bowel, difficulty in breathing, etc. This garlic allergy is usually accompanied by other allergies, for example, allergy to lilies, to chives, to bananas, or onions, etc. Taking too much of garlic supplements can lead to effects such as dizziness, sweating, gastrointestinal discomfort, etc.