Garlic may smell strong but it is full of health benefits from immune-boosting, to antioxidant qualities to being an aphrodisiac. Garlic is for sure a herbal superfood.
Do You Like Garlic?
Garlic has a strong odor for a reason, it is because of a sulfur compound. Sulfur compounds are well known for their strong odors. The fact is that sulfur compounds in intestinal gas are responsible for the smell of flatulence. Those sulfur compounds are pretty potent stuff, considering that they make up just one percent of the total intestinal gas released!
Learn about the ‘Health Benefits of Garlic’ – click on the video below to hear Diana and Randy disagree about it.
Garlic Health Benefits
1. Garlic is a Healthy Aphrodisiac!
Tibetan monks were forbidden from entering the monasteries if they had eaten garlic.
It stirs up passions due to its ability to increase circulation.
2. Garlic is an Antibiotic
The allicin in garlic is also a powerful antibiotic, which fights infection and bacteria. British researchers gave 146 people either a placebo or a garlic extract for 12 weeks; the garlic takers were two-thirds less likely to catch a cold. Other studies suggest that garlic lovers who chow more than six cloves a week have a 30% lower rate of colorectal cancer and a 50% lower rate of stomach cancer. Garlic helps to open clogged sinuses. Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic.
3. Garlic is an Antioxidant
Researchers have widely believed that the organic compound, allicin, which gives garlic its aroma and flavour, acts as the world’s most powerful antioxidant. But until now it hasn’t been clear how allicin works, or how it stacks up compared to more common antioxidants such as Vitamin E and coenzyme. – Research Sheds Light on Health Benefits of Garlic
Traditional Chinese medicine used garlic for more than 3,000 years. Current research is trying to determine the role it could play in treating many health problems such as heart disease and stroke to possibly helping to prevent cancer and increasing your immune system.
4. Garlic reduces Cholesterol
Many studies have confirmed that garlic in several forms can reduce cholesterol. Research: The Journal of the Royal College of Physicians
5. Garlic has Immune-Boosting Properties
This is because of the sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin in it. The allicin is a powerful antibiotic, which fights infection and bacteria. Just a few garlic cloves in a day, not whole bulbs. ~ Tips to Help Boost Your Immune System
“We ate lots of garlic in my home…my father would grow it and it went in everything. He would make garlic sandwiches which we all loved to eat. Toast with butter and chopped garlic and a sprinkle of salt mmmm it was yummy. There were 3 girls in our family and my father used to love to tell us that the garlic would grow hair on our chests!” Diana Herrington
Garlic History
- The pharaohs in ancient Egyptians valued garlic so highly that they placed it in tombs, including in King Tuts.
- A long time ago garlic was used as currency.
- Ancient Greeks gave it to Olympian athletes for strength and stamina.
- 5,000-year-old Sanskrit records in India describe its curative properties.
Why it is best to let the garlic sit for 5 – 10 minutes.
To get the most health benefits from garlic, let it sit for a minimum of 5 minutes, after cutting and before eating or cooking. Waiting for 5 – 10 minutes allows the health-promoting allicin to form. If you do not let it sit, allicin is never formed, so it is worth the wait. What is Allicin?
I was having dinner with some friends one evening. My friend, Catherine had made a stir fry with lots of garlic in it; she told me that she could only eat organic garlic as when she ate non-organic garlic she would have extreme digestive problems.
Just so you know, Real Food for Life may collect compensation from the Amazon links on this page because I am an Amazon affiliate.
Sometimes it is easier to use some Organic Freeze Dried Garlic
Recipes To Enjoy Garlic Health Benefits
Tempeh Sauteed with Spices and Garlic For a Special Vegan Dinner – This tempeh sautéed with lots of garlic and spices is a super easy dish to add to any vegan dinner. Tempeh is firmer and tastier than tofu with its nutty taste and texture and it is much healthier too making your meal full of easy to digest protein and vitamin B12.
Ultimate Garlic Recipe: Simple Garlic Zucchini – This is a very simple recipe and yummy if you like garlic. The first time I saw it being prepared was by my friend David on Yaku Yama mountain in the 70’s in my hippy days. I watched with amazement while he added clove after clove of garlic. I am sure he put in more than I have listed below! As health nuts in those days we ate lots of it for all of it’s health benefits.
Leeks and Carrots with Ginger and Garlic is So Delicious – Leeks and carrots are for sure favourite vegetables in my kitchen. Pairing them with yummy ginger and garlic makes a very refreshing delicious addition to a dinner meal. Also, all these ingredients are very nutritious for you too. In fact, almost all of the ingredients are superfoods.
Okra Sautéed with Cashews and Garlic is So Delicious – Adding cashews to this okra sautéed dish adds a crunch and the garlic adds a spicy taste to this tasty meal. Fresh green okra is a great vegetable and extra tasty made this way. It is also a complete meal when you add a whole grain like quinoa or brown rice. And of course so very tasty.
Lentil Stew This savory soup has all the benefits of the mighty powerfood lentils plus much more.
Chinese Vegetables The Real Food For Life version of a classic dish.
Vegetable Stew Quick and easy like the Simple Garlic Zucchini but with more vegetables.
Onion Gravy Everyone needs a great tasting healthy gravy like this.
Do you like garlic? If so make a comment.
100+ Superfoods
Learn more about some of the healthiest vegetarian foods you will always want to have in your pantry or growing on your deck.
READ: Superfoods – Over 100 of the Healthiest Foods You Should Have in Your Diet and learn more about the variety of Superfoods we think you should have in your diet.
READ Inflammation: Is it Good or Bad for Your Body?
We hear about inflammation often but do we really know what it is? Inflammation is an important immune system function. When it is out of control, it can cause serious damage. Inflammation has been linked to major diseases such as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and signs of aging. There’s good news: many foods are naturally anti-inflammatory. Adding Natural Anti-Inflammatory Foods to your meals is a very good way to reduce inflammation. Antioxidants found in foods protect your cells from the effects of free radicals and can help reduce an overabundance of inflammation in your body.
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I grew up with garlic, my mother always us it, and I use in every meal
Like doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of my relationship with garlic. Being Italian/Canadian, I have an affinity for it. Although, I’m beginning to think I just might be immune to it; we now make our homemade ceasar salad dressing with an entire head of crushed garlic!
Marchello, I am so happy to hear about your love of garlic and would love to see you recipe for ceasar salad dressing if it is not a family secret. 🙂
Dear Diana,
I used to have garlic together with limon juice for 6 months ; my blood pressure reduced dramatically down to normal levels .
Ihsan, that is so good to hear. Real Food often does the trick. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I love garlic and eat it all of the time, medicinally and gustatorily, but I take exception to the picture, though interesting, of the green sprouted garlic shown. That is garlic that I would separate and plant…the green sprouts should not be eaten as they can upset the stomach.
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I like eating garlic,just recently i felt weak and my joints are heavy. I blend garlic and grape make juice after taking I was relief.
I had no idea that garlic is an anti-biotic. I always liked the taste of garlic and usually use it in some of my recipes. I will have to start eating it more to gain its benefits. Thanks for the article.
Though its difficult to eat garlic but the regular intake helps to reduce the chances of cancer and maintain the Cholesterol level. Moreover, it also help to dilute the blood clots in the body.
I was impressed by the delicious recipes offered by your website thanks to the wonderful information and good information about the healthy eating
Most people don’t like garlic because of its smell. But you can cook it, add it to many dishes and get all the benefits.
One of the best benefits of garlic is that it can lower the blood preasure in a natural way.