Garlic (lahasoon) is a must have in every kitchen. The spice is a highly nutritious vegetable with very few calories, containing trace amounts of other nutrients that contribute to its universal status of a powerful, beneficial healer. The body- strengthening effects of this herb are thought to be due to its active ingredient allicin - giving garlic its distinctive taste and smell. Whether you take your garlic powdered, salted, or minced or in supplement form, you can reap the surprising benefits of this multipurpose herb for optimal health.How it helps?DiabetesGarlic increases insulin release and regulates blood sugar levels in your body, especially if you have Diabetes. It aids in lowering blood sugar levels and may be used (under doctor's supervision) by people with Diabetes in addition to their regular regime of insulin and special diets.Researchers have found that certain compounds in garlic such as allicin, allyl propyl disulfide and S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide work by increasing the amount of insulin in the blood by blocking the liver's inactivation of insulin, making more insulin available to the body. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that garlic was highly effective in increasing one's insulin content in the body and improved glucose tolerance.While more research is still required to know the full extent of garlic's effectiveness, people with Diabetes may benefit by taking moderate amounts of garlic as a supplement. Raw and cooked garlic or garlic extract not only help regulate blood glucose but also possibly prevent or lessen the effects of some of the complications of Diabetes.Precaution:Discuss with your doctor or a medical professional on the advisability of taking garlic for your type of Diabetes and health conditions. Although garlic is not considered toxic as a food by the American Food and Drug Administration, it may cause side effects for certain individuals and for anyone taking it in large quantities.Note: Garlic may interact with several medications; so consult your physician before you incorporate garlic in your diet, especially if you are on medications.Garlic can help keep both bacterial and viral infections at bay. They help control bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast and worm infections. Fresh garlic is thought to play a role in preventing food poisoning by killing bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella enteritidis, etc. Since it has both antibacterial and antiviral properties, garlic is great when it comes to treating skin infections. The chemical ajoene found in garlic may help treat fungal skin infections like ringworm and athlete's foot..Lowers blood pressureAged garlic extract between 600 and 1,500 milligrams (mg) was found to be just as effective as the drug Atenolol prescribed for hypertension in a 24-week period, according to a 2013 study published in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The polysulphides present in garlic are converted into a gas called hydrogen sulphide by red blood cells that helps dilate your blood vessels and helps control blood pressure. Also, garlic supplements can achieve these effects efficiently without the bad breath compared to raw garlic.Lowers heart disease riskWith age, your arteries tend to lose their ability to stretch and garlic can help maintain their elasticity. Garlic can help lower the risk of heart disease by lowering total LDL 'bad' cholesterol. A 2000 study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine found the effect of garlic on total cholesterol levels in people with elevated levels and it was observed that garlic moderately reduced cholesterol levels. It also helps protect the heart from the damaging effects of free oxygen radicals. The sulphur-containing compounds of garlic also prevent our blood vessels from becoming blocked and slow the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).The anti-clotting properties of ajoene (a compound present in garlic) helps prevent the formation of clots inside your blood vessels.Colds and sore throatGarlic's allicin can serve as a health aid during times of illness. A 2001 study published in the journal Advances In Therapy found a daily garlic supplement can reduce the number of respiratory issues by 63 per cent compared to not taking supplements. Moreover, the average length of cold symptoms was also reduced to70 per cent, from five days in the control group to 1.5 days in garlic supplement group. These findings suggest the allicin- containing supplement has a protective effect against the common cold. Its antibacterial properties help in treating throat irritations. Garlic may also reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infections.CancerGarlic's anti-cancer properties are due to the presence of allyl sulphides. Diallyl sulphide found in garlic inhibits the transformation of PhIP (a type of compound that has been associated with increased incidence of breast cancer) into carcinogens.AnemiaDiallyl sulphides present in garlic increase the production of ferroportin (a protein that helps in the absorption and release of iron) and improves iron metabolism all of which helps prevent iron deficiency and associated diseases like anemia..ToothacheIt can help relieve toothaches due to its antibacterial and analgesic (pain relieving) properties.AsthmaGarlic has been found effective in reducing the severity of asthmatic attacks.Chest DiseasesGarlic has proved to be highly effective in pulmonary gangrene. It is also used as remedy in the treatment of pneumonia and tuberculosis.Digestive system disordersGarlic is one the most beneficial foods for the digestive system. It stimulates peristaltic action and the secretion of the digestive juices. It has an antiseptic effect and is an excellent remedy for infectious diseases and inflammations of the stomach and intestine.Recommendation. It is recommended that adults consume no more than one clove two or three times a day. Children can have one quarter to one half a clove once or twice a day.
Garlic (lahasoon) is a must have in every kitchen. The spice is a highly nutritious vegetable with very few calories, containing trace amounts of other nutrients that contribute to its universal status of a powerful, beneficial healer. The body- strengthening effects of this herb are thought to be due to its active ingredient allicin - giving garlic its distinctive taste and smell. Whether you take your garlic powdered, salted, or minced or in supplement form, you can reap the surprising benefits of this multipurpose herb for optimal health.How it helps?DiabetesGarlic increases insulin release and regulates blood sugar levels in your body, especially if you have Diabetes. It aids in lowering blood sugar levels and may be used (under doctor's supervision) by people with Diabetes in addition to their regular regime of insulin and special diets.Researchers have found that certain compounds in garlic such as allicin, allyl propyl disulfide and S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide work by increasing the amount of insulin in the blood by blocking the liver's inactivation of insulin, making more insulin available to the body. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that garlic was highly effective in increasing one's insulin content in the body and improved glucose tolerance.While more research is still required to know the full extent of garlic's effectiveness, people with Diabetes may benefit by taking moderate amounts of garlic as a supplement. Raw and cooked garlic or garlic extract not only help regulate blood glucose but also possibly prevent or lessen the effects of some of the complications of Diabetes.Precaution:Discuss with your doctor or a medical professional on the advisability of taking garlic for your type of Diabetes and health conditions. Although garlic is not considered toxic as a food by the American Food and Drug Administration, it may cause side effects for certain individuals and for anyone taking it in large quantities.Note: Garlic may interact with several medications; so consult your physician before you incorporate garlic in your diet, especially if you are on medications.Garlic can help keep both bacterial and viral infections at bay. They help control bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast and worm infections. Fresh garlic is thought to play a role in preventing food poisoning by killing bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella enteritidis, etc. Since it has both antibacterial and antiviral properties, garlic is great when it comes to treating skin infections. The chemical ajoene found in garlic may help treat fungal skin infections like ringworm and athlete's foot..Lowers blood pressureAged garlic extract between 600 and 1,500 milligrams (mg) was found to be just as effective as the drug Atenolol prescribed for hypertension in a 24-week period, according to a 2013 study published in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The polysulphides present in garlic are converted into a gas called hydrogen sulphide by red blood cells that helps dilate your blood vessels and helps control blood pressure. Also, garlic supplements can achieve these effects efficiently without the bad breath compared to raw garlic.Lowers heart disease riskWith age, your arteries tend to lose their ability to stretch and garlic can help maintain their elasticity. Garlic can help lower the risk of heart disease by lowering total LDL 'bad' cholesterol. A 2000 study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine found the effect of garlic on total cholesterol levels in people with elevated levels and it was observed that garlic moderately reduced cholesterol levels. It also helps protect the heart from the damaging effects of free oxygen radicals. The sulphur-containing compounds of garlic also prevent our blood vessels from becoming blocked and slow the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).The anti-clotting properties of ajoene (a compound present in garlic) helps prevent the formation of clots inside your blood vessels.Colds and sore throatGarlic's allicin can serve as a health aid during times of illness. A 2001 study published in the journal Advances In Therapy found a daily garlic supplement can reduce the number of respiratory issues by 63 per cent compared to not taking supplements. Moreover, the average length of cold symptoms was also reduced to70 per cent, from five days in the control group to 1.5 days in garlic supplement group. These findings suggest the allicin- containing supplement has a protective effect against the common cold. Its antibacterial properties help in treating throat irritations. Garlic may also reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infections.CancerGarlic's anti-cancer properties are due to the presence of allyl sulphides. Diallyl sulphide found in garlic inhibits the transformation of PhIP (a type of compound that has been associated with increased incidence of breast cancer) into carcinogens.AnemiaDiallyl sulphides present in garlic increase the production of ferroportin (a protein that helps in the absorption and release of iron) and improves iron metabolism all of which helps prevent iron deficiency and associated diseases like anemia..ToothacheIt can help relieve toothaches due to its antibacterial and analgesic (pain relieving) properties.AsthmaGarlic has been found effective in reducing the severity of asthmatic attacks.Chest DiseasesGarlic has proved to be highly effective in pulmonary gangrene. It is also used as remedy in the treatment of pneumonia and tuberculosis.Digestive system disordersGarlic is one the most beneficial foods for the digestive system. It stimulates peristaltic action and the secretion of the digestive juices. It has an antiseptic effect and is an excellent remedy for infectious diseases and inflammations of the stomach and intestine.Recommendation. It is recommended that adults consume no more than one clove two or three times a day. Children can have one quarter to one half a clove once or twice a day.
