The Top Ten Health Benefits of Garlic
Garlic Promotes Heart Health, Prevents Cancer, and Fights Bacteria
Nov 12, 2009
Garlic is almost universally accepted as a wonder food. For centuries, garlic has been used in herbal medicine traditions from all around the world. Modern research has confirmed many of the plant’s well-accepted health benefits. And because it is a food substance, garlic, like the potent medicinal spices turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger, can be consumed safely at reasonable quantities.
Garlic’s Top Ten Health Benefits
Garlic's active constituents provide a multitude of health benefits. Garlic improves cardiac health, strengthens the immune system, and acts as a natural antibiotic:
- Garlic helps to promote and maintain heart health. Numerous research studies have confirmed that garlic may lower total cholesterol, and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and relieve hypertension. Garlic’s active ingredients help keep the blood thin, reducing the risk of blood clots and stroke. In addition, regular consumption of garlic appears to prevent the accumulation of plaque in the arteries.
- Garlic strengthens the immune system. A powerful antioxidant, garlic stimulates T-lymphocyte and macrophage action, improves interleukin-1 levels, and supports natural killer cells. All of these activities strengthen the body’s immune defenses.
- Garlic helps prevent cancer. A study reported in the American Journal of Nutrition found that people who consumed cooked or raw garlic on a regular basis had about half the risk of stomach cancer and one third less risk of colorectal cancer than those who ate little or no garlic. Another study showed that garlic decreases the risk of colon cancer in women.
- Garlic helps maintain healthy weight. Allicin, garlic’s active principle that reduces blood pressure, also prevented weight gain in research animals. A study conducted by the American Journal of Hypertension reported that study animals fed a diet containing garlic maintained a stable weight when compared to study animals receiving the same diet without garlic.
- Garlic is a natural antibiotic, with 1% the anti-bacterial power of penicillin. Garlic is effective in fighting infections in the ears, mouth and throat. Garlic may be used to relieve cold symptoms. As an anti-bacterial agent, garlic also fights listeria, salmonella, E. coli, cryptococcal meningitis, candida albicans and staphyloccocus bacteria.
- Garlic is effective in treating acne. When taken internally in combination with topical acne treatments, garlic facilitates the action of the topical ingredients.
- Garlic lowers blood sugar. When taken by diabetic patients, garlic stimulates the release of insulin.
- Garlic relieves upper respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Because of its natural antibiotic properties, garlic helps to clear upper respiratory infections. Garlic is also a natural expectorant, helping the body to expel excess phlegm in the lungs and relieving cough.
- Garlic helps to relieve toothache. Garlic oil or a piece of crushed garlic may be placed on or near the affected tooth. Garlic fights bacterial infections in the teeth and also acts as an analgesic to relieve pain.
- Garlic can be used to remove warts. To remove warts naturally, a trimmed, fresh clove of garlic may be rubbed on the wart daily until it disappears.
Garlic can be safely consumed by pregnant and nursing mothers, as its medicinal properties are also beneficial for breast-fed infants. Because of its blood-thinning and anti-coagulant properties, people who take prescription blood-thinners should consult their physician before using garlic supplements.
References:
Warshafsky S, Kamer R, Sivak S. Effect of garlic on total serum cholesterol: A meta-analysis. Ann Int Med 1993;119:599–605.
Silagy C, Neil A. Garlic as a lipid-lowering agent—a meta-analysis. J R Coll Phys London 1994;28:39–45.
Neil HA, Silagy CA, Lancaster T, et al. Garlic powder in the treatment of moderate hyperlipidaemia: A controlled trial and a meta-analysis. J R Coll Phys 1996;30:329–34.
Dorant E, van den Brandt PA, Goldbohm RA, et al. Garlic and its significance for the prevention of cancer in humans: A critical review. Br J Cancer 1993;67:424–9.
Fleishauer AT, Poole C, Arab L. Garlic consumption and cancer prevention: meta-analyses of colorectal and stomach cancers. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:1047–52.
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