NINE (9) THINGS HAPPEN TO YOUR BODY WHEN YOU EAT
GARLIC DAILY
Garlic, a species of onion, has been eaten by humans for centuries. It has been
used by ancient cultures for religious and spiritual reasons. It has been a key
ingredient for delicious dishes and meals around the world. And, of course,
it’s used for its medicinal properties!
But can eating garlic
regularly really have any long-term health effects? Or is that all nonsense
with no scientific backing? As it turns out, there are more positive benefits
of garlic than you may know about!
That’s why eating a hefty serving or two of garlic daily could be good for you
in the long run. Here’s how science explains what happens to your body when you
eat garlic every day.
1. YOU DEVELOP STRONGER IMMUNITY.
Garlic is packed with
antioxidants, allowing it to strengthen your immunity and reduce the chances of
catching a cold or developing the flu. They’re known to fend off viruses and
are especially useful over the winter thanks to their high amino acid, vitamin,
and good oil content.
Garlic also has an
organic component known as allicin which can kill off fungi and bacteria alike.
Studies have found that garlic can greatly lessen the chances of catching a
cold, and taking a garlic supplement can reduce cold symptoms by 70% compared
to placebo pills. So when you eat garlic every day, you may enjoy these same
benefits.
·
To enjoy these
benefits, try taking between 2 and 3 cloves of garlic daily.
·
You can also have some
garlic tea, soups, broths, or stews, according to Nutrihealth founder Health
and Wellness Expert Dr. Shikha Sharma.
·
Do note that garlic
must be fresh in order for you to enjoy its positive results.
2. your bones and teeth becomes stronger
Garlic
is known for being good for the teeth and bones. It’s actually fairly great for
the mouth all around, as it can heal inflammation and kill off bad microbes.
Its antibacterial content makes it fantastic for preventing the development of
cavities, so you won’t suffer from toothaches as often.
What
about for bones, though? It is worth noting that studies have not been
conducted on humans regarding the effects of garlic on bones. However, research
done with rodents has found that in female rodents, regular garlic
supplementation can boost estrogen, which minimizes the risks of losing bone.
To tie in with that, a human study found that consuming garlic
extract can reduce estrogen deficiency for menopausal women. This means that
the positive benefits rodents enjoy from garlic might translate to humans, as
many things often do. There is some research to suggest that garlic could be
good for those with osteoarthritis, but more study is needed.
3. YOU DEVELOP BETTER HEART HEALTH.
Garlic
is able to do wonders for cholesterol levels, especially for LDL cholesterol –
which is the negative kind of cholesterol. Meanwhile, HDL (the supposedly more
positive cholesterol) remains less affected, so you don’t need to worry about
losing good HDL.
This happens because of allicin, which is the antioxidant
compound that is present in garlic. It helps to bring LDL down while regulating
blood sugar. Garlic can reduce LDL levels by up to 15%, which is a positive step
for anyone looking to improve heart health.
·
Since allicin works best uncooked and often loses some of that
medicinal value it carries when cooked, try consuming raw or half-cooked garlic
for best results.
·
If you can’t stomach that, though, don’t worry. You can still
keep your positive thinking going!
·
Eating cooked garlic daily will still give you some benefits –
just at a lower intensity.
4. YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE LOWERS.
High
blood pressure, known also as hypertension, is one of the biggest causes behind
some of the most commonly fatal medical conditions in the world. This includes
strokes and heart attacks.
Studies have found that garlic works wonders in keeping down the blood pressure, and
the impact is pretty significant. In fact, one particular piece of research
found that consuming aged garlic extract in between 600 and 1,500 mg doses
daily can provide the same benefits as medicinal drug Atenolol. That’s a great
reason to eat garlic every day!
This
works because garlic can widen blood vessels, which leads to lower levels of
pressure in the arteries. As a side effect, you may even experience fewer
headaches from this! Do note, though, that you will have to eat a good amount
of garlic in order to see these results – the equivalent of 4 cloves.
5. YOUR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE will IMPROVE.
For
centuries, garlic has been used to enhance athletic performance. It was a
staple for Olympic athletes when they competed in ancient Greece, and it has
been used in many cultures to boost physical work ability and hold off fatigue.
Because
garlic is so good at keeping your heart healthy, it makes the heart work better
overall. What happens to your body is the muscles also begin to work at more
efficient and effective paces. Some human tests have shown that garlic oil
consumption can reduce peak heart rate by 12% and also provide better fitness
for exercise.
However, there aren’t many human studies conducted on garlic’s
fitness benefits. As such, more research is needed before we jump to full
conclusions. Still, the vegetable has shown positive results when taken by
those seeking to reduce fatigue and tiredness from exercise. It may also make
someone more productive at work as a result, as less tiredness means more
concentration and better positive thinking.
6. YOUR BRAIN FUNCTION WILL BE STRONGER.
The
brain tires and becomes less efficient as we age. Based on the Free Radical
theory of aging, this happens due to a reaction that causes chemical oxidation.
Essentially, it occurs because humans eat all kinds of food and take in oxygen
in order to produce energy for the body to run.
This
means that the cells are slowly destroyed over time, leading to duller brain
function, sagging skin, and plenty of other downsides. That’s why antioxidants
are so favored in the health world.
·
Garlic is full of antioxidants, so it fights the body’s natural
oxidative damage caused by its processes.
·
It highly reduces oxidative stress when taken in high doses,
especially in those who experience conditions like high blood pressure.
·
It does so by producing increased numbers of enzymes with
antioxidant properties in the body.
This
is why garlic is thought to have positive effects on the elderly, too. It may
help the brain stay sharp, preventing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other
similar conditions. This means it’s also good for memory, concentration, and
productivity!
7. YOU’LL HAVE BETTER SKIN.
Linking
back to the Free Radical aging theory, garlic is able to slow the aging of skin
and hair. Skin loses collagen over time, causing a lack of elasticity, which is
why older skin may sag.
Eating
just two cloves every day can boost collagen production naturally, as well as
elastic production. This is because the skin’s fibroblasts, which are
essentially the cells that handle skin renewal, react so well to garlic.
In
addition, applying garlic onto the skin can protect the skin wonderfully while
also helping to treat certain skin conditions, such as eczema, and fungal
infections, such as ringworms or athlete’s foot. Of course, this isn’t about
eating garlic – but we thought we’d mention it regardless.
Some
also state that garlic has properties that make it a natural way to protect
from the harmful sun’s rays that can age you. Eating more garlic can prevent
the sun from excessively drying and photo-aging the skin. Do note that garlic
isn’t a substitute for sunscreen!
8. YOU MAY LOSE WEIGHT (OR HAVE A HEALTHIER
DIET).
There
are plenty of reasons that garlic may help someone lose weight. The most
obvious is the fact that it is such a good ingredient for adding flavor to
dishes, and that it contains so many nutrients, all while staying low in
calories. One ounce, or 28 grams, of garlic, has only 42 calories.
In
addition, garlic contains a ton of positive components that make it great for
rounding out a diet. Just one ounce of this vegetable has:
·
23% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for manganese
·
17% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin B6
·
15% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin C
·
6% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for Selenium
·
9 grams of carbs
·
8 grams of protein
·
6 grams of fiber
·
Additionally, it has good levels of vitamin B1, calcium, copper,
iron, phosphorus, and potassium.
On top of that, garlic has something called ajoene. This
component is crucial in the activation of ferments within the body’s blood.
These ferments break down and get rid of fatty deposits, helping to break down
unnecessary fat.
Garlic
can also help to burn off extra calories that come with improper food intake.
If you’re worried you’re eating too much food, you can eat garlic to counteract
it. Do keep in mind, though, that there is a high dose of garlic needed for
this to happen!
9. YOU MAY LIVE LONGER AND BE AT LOWER RISK
OF DEVELOPING CANCER.
It’s
difficult to effectively prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that any one thing
can improve one’s lifespan. However, garlic comes pretty close to being that
well-proven. Given its huge number of positive effects and how it can reduce
conditions that increase the risk of fatal illness, it’s not surprising that
many believe garlic can help them live a longer, healthier life.
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Garlic can battle diseases and infections.
·
It can boost immunity.
·
It can keep the brain sharp and functioning well.
·
It’s a good component to add to a diet and it’s highly
nutritious.
·
It’s no surprise that garlic might just be that one secret
ingredient to longevity!
On
top of that, there is some evidence that suggests garlic consumption can lower
the risk of developing some types of cancer, especially colorectal cancer and
stomach cancer. Whether this is due to the boosted immunity the body enjoys, or
for some other yet to be studied reason, we aren’t sure. But the potential
benefits of eating garlic every day certainly make it worth a shot!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY IF YOU EAT GARLIC daily
Garlic
is delicious and nutritious. It has countless health-related benefits. With all
it can do, adding garlic to your daily meal plan may just turn your life
around!
Do remember, of course, that garlic is not a suitable substitute
for a doctor’s advice and should not be used as a sole treatment for any one condition.
If you plan to take a garlic supplement of any kind, speak to a medical
professional for advice first!