Health Benefits of Garlic

Once you know the health benefits of garlic you may want to add it to all kinds of recipes.  

Garlic is grown under the ground.  It is planted as a clove and once matured enough to harvest becomes a large bulb that consists of several cloves. 

Though sometimes called a vegetable it is usually considered an herb and is related to the same group as onions, shallots and chives which belong to the lily family.

This herb is no stranger on earth as it has been around for thousands of years and is used all over the world for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

My family loves it in homemade soups, spaghetti sauce, vegetable juice, bruschetta and garlic bread, in meatballs  and sausages, in salads, stir fries and many others.

This liver loving food  contains a long list of vitamins and minerals.  Just to mention a few it contains vitamin C, Selenium, Calcium, Manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, and Phosphorus.

Health Benefits of Garlic:

Garlic contains a healthy amount of sulfur and foods that are rich in sulfur have the following benefits.

They aid in the absorption of calcium and also help repair and rebuild bone, cartilage and connective tissue.

They protect us against the effects of radiation and pollution.

They possess powerful antioxidants which help eliminate toxins, detoxify the body, disinfect the blood, resist bacteria, and stimulate bile secretion. 

Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and helps protect the body from a variety of worms, parasites, mold, fungi, viruses and bacteria. 

Disease Prevention:

Since garlic possesses the above mentioned qualities many people believe it may possibly help with the following: 

• Lowers blood sugar
• Improves circulation
• Helps lower blood pressure
• Strengthens the immune system
• Helps detoxify and cleanse the blood
• Absorption of calcium helps prevent osteoporosis
• Its natural antibiotic effect helps improve digestive issues
• Powerful antioxidants help prevent disease such as cancer
• Thins the blood – helps prevent clots – reduces the risk of stroke
• Reduces blood cholesterol levels - lowers the risk of heart attack
• Improves liver function making weight loss easier to help with obesity

Seems like the health benefits of garlic are huge but it is important to remember that most studies state that garlic may help prevent these conditions and not cure them once they exist.  That is why prevention through healthy living is so important. 

How to get the most health benefits of garlic:    

Just as with all fruits and vegetables garlic will provide the most benefits when eaten in its raw form.   But even when it is cooked or sautéed it still provides many benefits and lots of flavor.

7 Great Ways to Use Raw Garlic:

1. Freshly squeezed on tuna or tuna salad
2. Juiced along with other vegetables when making homemade juice
3. Add to bruschetta (tomato mixture for bread)
4. Add to butter and spread on toasted bread (garlic bread)
5. Add to homemade salsa for nachos
6. Add to guacamole dip
7. Add to cucumber salad (Hungarian style)

Once you get creative in the kitchen there are countless ways to enjoy raw garlic, but cooked is good too.  Enjoy.

Wishing you health and happiness

Return from Benefits of Garlic to Healthy Food List

Return to Home Page