Going as far back as the Sumerian civilization, garlic is one of the most valuable herbs in the world. Much has been said about the nutritional value of garlic, but it’s also a treasure trove of other benefits that you may not have heard about. Read on for a dive deep into the uses of garlic and how it can transform your lifestyle.

Before the Enlightenment, garlic was largely considered folk medicine. Even before scientists took a closer look at the components of garlic, people knew that it had the power to fight off bacteria and boost health. In fact, they would even wear necklaces of garlic during the plague to ward off infection.

The Benefits Of Garlic 

The nutritional value of garlic cannot be overstated. This herb serves to protect regular consumers against a long list of diseases, and it can be included in your diet in endlessly diverse ways. 

A Nutritional Powerhouse

Garlic packs a range of crucial nutrients like manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, selenium, and even fiber for a negligible amount of calories. This makes it an easy choice for everyday cooking with its unbeatable taste. Garlic also contains an ample amount of sulfur compounds, and this is what enables many of garlic’s best benefits.

Better Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular diseases caused by high blood pressure are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Along with its nutritional value, garlic has been proven to reduce blood pressure even when taken in the form of an extract. In fact, since a relatively high amount of garlic is needed to see an improvement in blood pressure, extracts are one of the most efficient uses of garlic, getting you all the nutritional benefits but with a longer shelf life.

Garlic also fights cholesterol. Studies have shown that garlic has the ability to lower LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad cholesterol”, and can even improve HDL, which is important for better heart health.

Free Radical Protection

Free radicals are unstable compounds that play a key role in fighting infections, but they can also wreak havoc on your body by speeding up aging and causing illnesses if left unchecked. 

Similar to antioxidant-rich black seed oil, garlic is a great defense against free radicals. Antioxidants ensure that your body maintains a healthy balance of free radicals, and shield you from their worst effects. However, as high as the nutritional value of garlic is, it still won’t completely immunize you from free radical damage. Maintaining your toxin intake at acceptable levels and staying away from polluted environments is the key to helping your antioxidants do their best work.

Improve Brain Function

Interestingly, by lowering blood pressure and fighting off free radicals, garlic can lower the risk of serious neurological conditions like dementia. The sulfur compounds present in garlic can also potentially destroy cancer-causing cells in the brain, reducing the risk of a tumor. However, research in this field is still ongoing.

It’s also worth mentioning that amongst the other uses of garlic, it is also considered to be a ‘brain food’ due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Garlic’s vitamin content and antioxidant properties can help strengthen your memory and keep your brain in great shape. 

360° Protection

From head to toe, the nutritional value of garlic helps it protect nearly every key organ in our bodies. By maintaining a healthy balance of free radicals, garlic can fight off the bacteria that cause acne and help your skin stay clear even in harsh environments. Some people even rub garlic over blemished skin and pimples in the hopes of clearing them, but we would recommend consulting a dermatologist first.

Garlic is perhaps most popularly known for its ability to fight the common cold. Supplementing your diet with garlic-infused HoneyZest or just simple powdered garlic can strengthen your immune system immensely, reducing both the frequency of illnesses as well as their durations. This use of garlic is enabled by the presence of allicin, a compound that can prevent blood clots and even reduce the effects of certain allergies. 

To make the most of the nutritional value of garlic, make sure you’re consuming it as fresh as possible, as the allicin compounds inside become less effective over time. If meal prep and cooking every day is an issue, using an extract like a black seed and garlic capsule could be a time-saver.

Too Much Garlic?

As amazing as the benefits are, there is such a thing as too much garlic. Its anti-clotting properties also mean that it can potentially increase bleeding. Large quantities of garlic shouldn’t be consumed if you’re also taking certain other medicines like blood thinners. This shouldn’t be a problem if your only source of the herb is raw cloves rather than concentrated extracts. If you’re going with an extract, consult a health professional about your dosage first. 

There can also be a certain amount of digestive issues like gas or bloating that accompanies excessive garlic consumption. The nutritional value of garlic aside, it contains fructan compounds that are responsible for worsening acid reflux issues. Consider reducing your intake if you suffer from intestinal complications.

A Super-Herb

The uses of garlic are as extensive as your imagination. Used raw or with a black seed extract, this superpowered herb packs an incredible mix of important macro and micro nutrients necessary for a healthier lifestyle. If you’re struggling to get your daily intake of garlic, check out Amazing Herbs for superior GMP-certified supplements powered by all-natural Turkish oil.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.