Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic, a member of the onion family, has several health benefits. We, in our day to day lives, use it in various food items and dishes to add flavour and as a major ingredient for garnishing. Some of us avoid eating garlic because it causes bad breath, but this is a very misleading belief.

The health benefits of garlic far outweigh its shortcomings. To do away with a bad breath, you can always wash your mouth or use a spray afterwards, but try not to omit garlic from your diet. Pregnant women can benefit from its nutritional values in many ways. Garlic provides several health benefits even post delivery.

Take a look at the following major benefits of garlic:

1. Blood regulation

Garlic helps your body to replenish blood and makes your circulation better. It also helps women with elevated blood pressure to keep their blood pressure levels in check and in moderate ranges. Garlic helps in relieving fatigue and improves bone health, which is of utmost importance during and after pregnancy.

2. Medicinal properties

A compound called Allicin in garlic has several potent medicinal properties. This compound is also responsible for garlic’s distinct smell. Garlic helps in combating illnesses such as common cold or flu and also has beneficial effects on the heart. Garlic helps you keep your cholesterol level in check and numerous other biological ailments can be cured by just a hint of garlic in your everyday diet.

3. Highly nutritious, lower calories

Have not all of us been looking for natural foods that are extremely nutritious but at the same time do not add on to our calories? Well, we now have such an ingredient. Garlic is rich in – Manganese, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Selenium and Fiber. Garlic also contains a trace amount of other important nutrients that our body requires. Truth be spoken, it actually contains a little of everything that our body requires.

4. Cardiovascular benefits

Cardiovascular diseases such as strokes or heart attacks are the largest causes of deaths. Garlic counters hypertension and maintains your heart in a good health. In a study conducted, it was found that aged garlic extract doses at 600-1500 mg were just as effective as the drug Atenolol. The supplements for this remedy need to be relatively high and in regulated amounts.

5. Prevents vaginal infections

During and after pregnancy, women are highly prone to vaginal infections and need to take a lot of precautions to ward off diseases and maintain hygiene. Garlic has antimicrobial properties which can be extracted either by taking it orally or by applying it directly on the skin that needs healing. It helps in destroying harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses. Make sure that you talk to your physician to receive proper consultation about the same before trying something on your own.

6. Detoxification

At certain dosage, garlic has proven to protect against organ damage and from heavy metal toxicity. A study conducted on employees working in a car battery manufacturing plant who had an excessive exposure to lead found that garlic reduced their blood lead level by a significant percentage. It also helps you combat headaches and migraines.