Is Garlic a Super Health Food?

Health Wellness

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Over the past year, I’ve written about many healthy foods and all of the many wonderful benefits they have. Some may only have had health benefits that related to one or two health issues and then there is one food that some may consider to be a super food when it comes to its health benefits.

Let me ask you this – would you consider one common food that has over 40 health benefits a super food?

In the movies, it has the magical power to help cast spells and ward off vampires.

Yes, I’m talking about garlic.

Over the years, may people have the wrong impression that Italians have the lock on garlic and using it in their cooking, but that’s wrong. A number of nationalities and ethnic groups use garlic and over the past half century, it has seen a tremendous growth in popularity, not only because of its many health benefits but also because of its flavor. The aroma of garlic is offensive to many but is also a savory aroma to be longed for by others.

Personally, I love the smell of garlic in many foods, but my wife doesn’t. Hence, I use it sparingly.

But what are the many health benefits of garlic?

In ancient times, some cultures used garlic to treat asthma, digestive disorders, heart disease, intestinal worms, infections, respiratory disorders and tumors. Today, there are many claims about the health benefit of garlic. Some have been well supported by studies and some are still questioned by some, but others swear by them:

Here is a quick list taken from some previous posts:

Garlic is natural way to help lower high blood pressure.

Garlic is a natural way to reduce the harmful fat in fatty livers.

Garlic is a natural way to reduce fat throughout many parts of the body and help lose excess weight.

Garlic is a natural detox to help rid the body of harmful toxins that build up after eating unhealthy foods.

Garlic is a natural anti-inflammatory food. The body can get inflamed in different areas, often from the bad foods we eat and garlic can help reduce that inflammation.

Garlic is a natural anti-carcinogen and can help reduce the risk of developing some cancers including stomach and colon cancer.

Garlic is a natural way to help reduce the effects of osteoarthritis in some body areas including the hip.

Garlic is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent and helps fight off colds and the flu and boost the immune system.

Garlic is a natural way to help lower cholesterol.

Garlic is a natural way to help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. One study showed that the daily consumption of a garlic supplement played a role in slowing down the build up of plaque in the arteries.

Garlic is a natural way to help with Type 2 diabetes.

Garlic is a natural way to help reduce the effects of metabolic syndrome.

The main active ingredient in garlic responsible for all of this is natural substance called allicin, but it’s not the only beneficial compound found in garlic. The best source of allicin is using fresh garlic. There are many garlic supplements on the market, but not all contain enough allicin to be that beneficial. The amount varies as to how much is recommended on a daily basis, but there is also a negative side to eating too much fresh garlic (beside bad breath) or taking too much allicin supplements.

If a person is taking anticoagulants like warfarin, taking too much garlic can increase the risk of bleeding. Too much garlic can also hinder some the effectiveness of some medications, like the ones used to treat HIV.

Is garlic a super food? Some say yes and others say not so much. Personally, I take 180mg of allicin daily.

 

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