0

Comments

I am an Italian-American, so garlic was an everyday commodity in my parents’ house while I was growing up. We put garlic powder on everything: vegetables, meat, pasta, and anything else my mom decided to serve for dinner. I’m not sure why, but to this day, garlic makes everything takes better. Because I’m such a garlic lover, I researched it a bit and discovered some very interesting and appealing reasons that justify me eating even more garlic!

What the Research Says

Garlic has been known for centuries as a “wonder drug.” Recent studies have proven its ability to overcome fatigue, decrease cholesterol, prevent cancer, build up your immune system, stabilize high blood pressure, and fend off the common cold.

In a test study performed in 2007 by the National Academy of Sciences, garlic came out with flying colors. Many people already knew that garlic had a major positive impact on the human body, but there was no scientific reason why. This study uncovered the abundance of hydrogen sulfide in garlic. The human body naturally produces hydrogen sulfide to act as an antioxidant, which fights off free-radical cells that can lead to the formation of cancer.

Another study in Alabama took the juice of garlic from a local grocery store, injected a small amount into red blood cells, and observed the cells generating hydrogen sulfide. The cells relaxed, which provided less resistance and greater blood flow. This increase in blood flow explains the decrease in high blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels that garlic can cause. Its antioxidant byproduct explains the cancer-fighting agents and prevention of the common cold.

The Benefits of Raw

Unfortunately, the amount of garlic consumed on a daily basis to get these benefits has to be around two cloves of raw garlic. Many supplements, especially those that are odor-free, have decreased effectiveness. If you want to give garlic a try, the best way is to eat it raw. This obviously leads to an issue with garlic breath, but not much can be done about that.

At the first sign of a cold, eat raw garlic! I know it sounds crazy, but there are ways to get around the shock of its intense taste. You can crush it up and drench it in honey or add it to a sandwich to make it go down easier. Either way, just get it in your system. Garlic is considered one of the world’s greatest superfoods. To utilize it for its greatest health potential, you should crush it at room temperature 15 minutes before you eat it, which will release its essential enzymes.

For more information on garlic’s incredible health benefits, check out Garlic Central, the Nutrition Reporter, and Gourmet Garlic Gardens.