Benefits of Garlic

Garlic, also known as stinking rose is full of therapeutic benefits. Garlic is full of sulphur, containing compounds, which not only give it pungent odor but also promote good health.

Regular use of garlic helps in stimulating the production of nitrate oxide, which relaxes the balls of the blood vessels. It helps in lowering the blood pressure, cholesterol count and also triglyceride level, as a result reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Garlic also has compounds that reduce inflammation. These anti inflammatory compounds protect against severe attack of asthma and reduce the pain and inflammation of osteo arthritis. One of the compound called- allicin is anti bacterial and anti viral agent that kills harmful microbes, and helps body fight against- flue, colds, stomach viruses.

Adding garlic in your daily diet can lower your risk for many cancers, like- breast cancer, oral cavity and fharynx cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, to name some. The power of garlic to boost hydrogen sulphide production may help explain why a garlic rich diet protects against many cancers.

Garlic helps in preventing weight gain. It also reduces the skin problems because of its anti biotic and blood cleansing properties. Always use chopped or crushed garlic and allow it to sit for about fifteen minutes at room temperature. It helps release the active compounds. Add garlic until the last ten minutes of cooking. Over cooking can rob it from its benefits.

Garlic is an excellent source of manganese. It is also a very good source of vitamin B six and vitamin C. It is full of minerals, phosphorous, selenium, calcium, potassium, iron and copper. But remember, too much of garlic can cause upset stomach and allergies. Also, avoid garlic treatment before surgery due to its blood thinning property.

It is a good idea to add just enough garlic in your diet, to reap its benifits.