Intensely aromatic and flavorful, garlic is used in virtually every cuisine in the world. When eaten raw, ithas a powerful, pungent flavor to match thetruly mighty garlic benefits.
It is particularly high in certain sulfur compoundsthat are believed to beresponsible for its scent and taste, as well as its very positive effects on human health.
Garlic benefits rank only second to turmeric benefitsin the amount of research backing this superfood. At the time of this article’s publication, there are more than7,600 peer-reviewed articlesthat evaluated the spice’s ability to prevent and improve a wide spectrum of diseases.
Do you know what all this research has revealed?
Eating garlic regularly is not only good for us — it has been linked with reducing or even helping prevent four of the major causes of death worldwide, including heart disease, stroke, cancer and infections.
The National Cancer Institute does not recommend any dietary supplement for cancerprevention, but itdoes recognize the spice as one of several vegetables with potential anticancer properties.
Other than the most extreme, rare situations, every person on the planet should consume this spice. It’s extremely cost-effective, super easy to grow and tastes absolutely fantastic.
Find out more about garlic benefits, uses, research, how to grow your own and some great-tasting recipes.
7 Raw Garlic Benefits
As you are about to see, raw garlic benefits are plentiful. Itcan used as an effective form of plant-based medicine in many ways, including the following.
1. Heart Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States, followed by cancer. This spice has been widely recognized as both apreventative agent and treatment of many cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, hypertension and diabetes.
A scientific review of experimental and clinical studies of garlic benefits foundthat, overall, consumption of this spice has significant cardioprotective effects inboth animal and human studies.
Probably the most amazing characteristic is that it’s been shown to help reverse early heart disease by removing plaque buildup in arteries.
A 2016 randomized, double-blind study published in theJournal of Nutritioninvolved 55 patients, aged 40 to 75 years, who had been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. The results of the study showedthat aged garlic extract effectively reduced plaque in coronaryarteries (the arteries supplying blood to the heart) for patients with metabolic syndrome.
One of the lead researchers, Matthew J. Budoff, M.D., said:
“This study is another demonstration of the benefits of this supplement in reducing the accumulation of soft plaque and preventing the formation of new plaque in the arteries, which can cause heart disease. We have completed four randomized studies, and they have led us to conclude that Aged Garlic Extract can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis and reverse the early stages of heart disease.”
2. Cancer
Allium vegetables, especially garlic and onions, and their bioactive sulfur compounds are believed to haveeffects at each stage of cancer formationand affect many biological processes that modify cancer risk, according to a review published in Cancer Prevention Research.
In the words of the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute:
Several population studies show an association between increased intake of garlic and reduced risk of certain cancers, including cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast.
When it comes to how consuming this spice acts to prevent cancer, the National Cancer Institute explains:
… protective effects from garlic may arise from its antibacterial properties or from its ability to block the formation of cancer-causing substances, halt the activation of cancer-causing substances, enhance DNA repair, reduce cell proliferation, or induce cell death.
(Video) 7 Raw Garlic Benefits For Reversing Disease
A French study of345 breast cancer patientsfound that increased garlic, onion and fiber consumption was associated with a statistically significant reduction in breast cancer risk.
Another cancer that the spice has been specifically shown to positively affect is pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly forms. The good news is that scientific research shows thatincreased garlic consumption may reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
A population-based study conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area found that pancreatic cancer risk was 54 percent lower in people who ate larger amounts of garlic and onions compared with those who ate lower amounts. The study also showed that increasing the overall intake of vegetables and fruits may protect against developing pancreatic cancer.
This popular spice also shows promise when it comes to treating cancer. Its organosulfur compounds, including DATS, DADS, ajoene and S-allylmercaptocysteine, have been found to induce cell cycle arrest when added to cancer cells during in vitro experiments.
In addition,these sulfur compounds have been found to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) when added to various cancer cell lines grown in culture. Takingliquidgarlic extract and S-allylcysteine (SAC) orally has also been reported to increase cancer cell death in animal models of oral cancer.
Overall,this spice clearly showsome real potential as a cancer-fighting foodthat should not be ignored or discounted.
3. High Blood Pressure
An interesting phenomenon is that this common herb has been shown to helpcontrol high blood pressure. One study lookedat the effect ofaged garlic extract as an adjunct treatment for people already taking antihypertensive medication yet still having uncontrolled hypertension.
The study, published in the scientific journal Maturitas, evaluated 50 people with “uncontrollable” blood pressure. It was uncovered that simply taking four capsules of aged garlic extract (960 milligrams) daily for three months caused blood pressure to drop by an average of 10 points.
Another study published in 2014 found that the spice has “the potential to lower BP in hypertensive individuals similarly to standard BP medication.”
This study further explains that the spice’s polysulfides promote the opening or widening of blood vessels and, hence, blood pressure reduction.
4. Colds and Infections
Experiments have shown that garlic (or specific chemical compounds like allicin found in the spice) is highly effective at killing countless microorganisms responsible for some of the most common and rarest infections, including the common cold. It actually might help prevent colds as well as other infections.
In one study, people took either garlic supplements or a placebo for 12 weeks during cold season (between November and February). Those who supplemented with the spice were less likely to get a cold, and if they did get a cold, they recovered faster than the placebo group.
The placebo group had a much greaterlikelihood of contracting more than one cold over the 12-week treatment period as well.
The study attributes the spice’s ability to prevent the common coldto its starbiologically active component component,allicin.Its antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal properties can help relieve the common cold as well as other infections.
Allicin in particular is believed to play an important role in this vegetable’s antimicrobialpowers.
5. Male and Female Hair Loss (Alopecia)
Aclinical trial was conducted to test what a survey has shown to be a growing practice in Turkey: using garlic to treat baldness. Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences researchers from Iran tested how garlic gel applied on the scalp twice a day for three months could affect people taking corticosteroids for alopecia.
Alopeciais a common autoimmune skin disease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face and sometimes on other areas of the body. Different treatments are currently available, but no cure is yet known.
The researchers discovered that the use of the gel significantly added to the therapeutic efficacy of topicalcorticosteroid in the treatment of alopecia areata. Although the study didn’t test it directly, applying garlic-infused coconut oil as a standalone treatment might even be more beneficial as a hair loss remedy because it mitigates the risk of absorbing harmful corticosteroids in the skin.
6. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementiathat can rob peopleof the ability to think clearly, perform everyday tasks and, ultimately, remember who they even are. This spice contains antioxidants that can support the body’s protective mechanisms against oxidative damage that can contribute to these cognitive illnesses.
When it comes to Alzheimer’s patients, β-amyloid peptide plaques are commonly observed in the central nervous system, and these plaque deposits result in the production of reactive oxygen species and neuronal (cells in the nervous system) damage.
A study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry found “significant neuroprotective and neurorescue properties” of aged garlic extract and its active compound SAC. The researchers conclude from their findings that the aged extract along with SAC can be used to develop future drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
7. Diabetes
Eating this popular spicehas been shown tohelp regulate blood sugar levels, potentially stop or decrease the effects of some diabetes complications, as well as fightinfections, reduceLDL cholesterol and encouragecirculation.
A study of diabetic rats showed thatthis spice may bevery helpful at improving the overall health of diabetics, including the mitigation of common diabetic complicationslikeatherosclerosis and nephropathy. These rats, which receiveda dailyextract of raw garlicfor seven weeks, had significantly lower serum glucose (blood sugar level), cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Compared to thecontrol group, the rats receiving raw garlichad 57 percent less serum glucose, 40 percent lower serum cholesterol levels and 35 percent lowertriglycerides. In addition, urinary protein levels in spice-treated ratswere 50 percent lower.
Anotherstudy also showed that for type II diabetes patients, garlic significantly improved blood cholesterol levels. Specifically, its consumption reduced total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol and moderately raised HDL cholesterol compared to placebo.
Nutrition Facts
Allium sativumis aperennial plant of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), a class of bulb-shaped plants that includes chives, leeks, onions, shallots and scallions.
Garlic grows underneath the soilin the form of a bulb. This bulb has long green shoots that come outfrom the top while its roots extend downward.
The garlic plant is native to central Asia but grows wild in Italy as well as Southern France.The bulb of the plant is what we all know as the vegetable.
What is a garlic clove?
The garlic bulb is covered with several layers of inedible papery skin that when peeled away reveal up to 20 edible bulblets called cloves inside.
When it comes to the numerous types of garlic, did you know that there are over 600 names varieties of the plant? Generally speaking, there are two main subspecies: sativum (softneck) and ophioscorodon (hardneck).
The stalks of these types of plants are different, with softnecks stalks made up of leaves that remain soft, while hardnecks are rigid.
Garlic scapes are produced by hardnecks and can be added to recipes for their mild, sweet and even peppery flavor.
Garlic nutrition contains countless vital nutrients —flavonoids, oligosaccharides, amino acids,allicin and high levels of sulfur (just to name a few) — and eating this spice regularly has been proven to provide unbelievable health benefits.
Raw garlic also contains approximately 0.1 percent essential oilof which the maincomponents include allyl propyl disulfide, diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide.
Raw garlic is conventionally measured forcooking and medicinal purposes by the clove. Each clove is packed with health-promoting components.
A clove (approximately three grams) of raw garlic nutritioncontains about:
- 4.5 calories
- 1 gram carbohydrates
- 0.2 gram protein
- 0.1 gram fiber
- 0.1 milligram manganese (3 percent DV)
- 0.9 milligram vitamin C (2 percent DV)
- 5.4 milligrams calcium (1 percent DV)
- 0.4 microgram selenium (1 percent DV)
These are just some of the top nutrients found in this spice.
It also containsalliin and allicin, which are both health-promoting sulfur compounds. Allicin benefits are especially well-researched in studies.
Scientists are interested in the potential forthesesulfur compounds derived from the spice to prevent and treat chronic and deadly diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, among other garlic benefits.
Related: Healthy Salt Substitute Alternatives vs. Unhealthy Options to Avoid
How to Use
Garlic is best used raw for microbial properties, although cooked garlic still has a lot of value. In fact, the antioxidant value is equal (or sometimes even higher) when cooked, which is counterintuitive because for most foods cooking tends to decrease nutritional content.
Even black garlic, which is used in Asian cuisines and occurs when it is heated over a course of several weeks, has proven to be beneficial for our health.
Cooking
You can add raw garlic to recipes that are sautéed, roasted or baked. You can also toss some raw garlic into your next homemade salad dressing, marinade, tomato sauce, soup or stew.
Adding the raw spice to any vegetable, fish or meat dish is sure to intensify the flavor and offer health benefits. Of course, cooked garlic benefits are also impressive and offer a more mild flavor when added to meals, like garlic aioli (sautéed garlic with olive oil).
Roasting garlic is also an easy option when cooking garlic.
Simply chop off the top head s the cloves are exposed. Then drizzle it with olive oil, and wrap it with foil.
To roast garlic, leave it in a 400-degree oven for about 30 minutes, until the cloves become brown and tender.
Ultimately, whether you’re using clove of garlic raw or cooked, you can increase the benefits of garlic by chopping or crushing it and letting it sit before eating.
Chopped or minced garlic activates alliinase enzymes in the spice’s cells, and sitting allowsthese enzymes to convert some of the clove’s allin into allicin. Allicin then rapidly breaks down to form a variety of organosulfur compounds.
Scientists suggest allowing garlic to stand for 10 minutes after chopping or crushing before cooking it.
To mince garlic, peel away the skin, separate the cloves and crush them with the flat side of a large knife. First give the crushed clove a rough chop, and then go over it again with a rocking motion, using one hand to hold the knife handle and the other to rock the knife from the top.
A garlic press can also be used to crush the cloves.
For Skin and Infections
Another way to use garlic is for infections. Using the oils of the garlic plantis an excellent natural remedy for many types of infections, including ear and skin infections.
Traditional cultures that don’t typically struggle with these types of diseases receive regular intake of this in their diets.
For Weight Loss
This herb helps boost your metabolism, which can support weight loss. Adding raw or cooked garlic to healthy and well-balanced meals every day can promote weight loss.
In addition to this plant benefit, it may help sexually too. Because allicin promotes blood flow to reproductive organs and stimulates circulation, you may find that adding this spice to your diet improves your sexual health.
Recipes
If you want to harness the healing power of this spice, try adding it to some of your favorite recipes.The possibilities with this kitchen staple are truly endless.
Here are a few of my favorite garlic recipes to try so you can experience the many health benefits of garlic nutrition:
- Garlic Baked Chicken
- Garlic Sweet Potato Soup
- Basil Pesto
- Heart Health Juice
In addition to these healthy recipes, some popular ways to use garlic in food include:
- garlic bread (best with a sprouted and fresh-baked load of bread)
- garlic with olive oil on gluten-free or whole wheat pasta
- garlic mashed potatoes
- garlic butter that can be added to bread or veggies for extra flavor and benefit
Related:
How to Grow at Home
Garlic is one of the more simple crops to grow. It thrives in different zones all across the United States.
For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, we should plant our cloves during the fall season and harvest them in late spring/early summer.
Don’t throw away any leftover cloves from your curry dish or garlic recipe.Clove food scraps are amazingly simple to use to regrow garlic plants.
To plant garlic, put the cloves root end down in a sunny spot in your garden, and trim off the shoots once the bulb produces them. This spice flourishes in dry, loose, well-drained soils in sunny locations.
When to harvest garlic requires good judgment, but in general, when you notice that the lower leaves are turning grown, you can dig up a few bulbs and check it they’re ready to eat.
This spice has a more than 7,000-year-oldhistory of human consumption and use.In ancient and Medieval times, garlic benefits for men and women were reveredfor the plant’s medicinal properties, and it was carried as a charm against vampires and other evils.
In France during the early 18th century, gravediggers drank wine containing crushed garlic to protect themselves from the plague. During both World War I and II, it was used as an antiseptic for wounds and given to prevent infections (like gangrene) in soldiers.
Each bulb is made up of four to 20 cloves with each clove weighing about a gram. Garlic supplements can be made from fresh, dried or aged garlic — or garlic oil.
Black garlic is a type of caramelized garlic, which was first used as a food ingredient in Asian cooking. To create black garlic, heads are heated over the course of several weeks.
This heating process makes the spice black in color. It also makes it sweet and syrupy.
The black variety isnow available for purchase in the United States.
Risks and Side Effects
Can eating raw garlic be harmful?
When taken by mouth, raw garlic can cause:
- burning a sensation in the mouth or stomach
- bad breath
- heartburn
- gas
- bloating
- nausea
- vomiting
- body odor
- diarrhea
The likelihood of these side effects increases with an increase in the amount consumed.
In general, garlic in any form can increase bleeding risk because it acts as a natural blood thinner. Speak to your doctor before consuming raw garlic if you take blood thinners.
Due to bleeding concerns, stop taking the spice at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, this spice is believed to be safe in food amounts but might be unsafe in medicinal amounts.
When taken by mouth in appropriate, small amounts for short periods of time, it is said to be safe for children. However, it should never be given to children in large doses.
If you have any gastrointestinal problems, it’s important to know that raw garlic can irritate the GI tract.People with ulcers should most likely avoid this spice raw.
To avoid intensified GI issues, don’t eat raw garlic on an empty stomach.
It can cause severe, burn-like skin irritation if applied to the skin alone directly so be cautious with skin contact.
Talk to your doctor before consumingraw garlic if you have low blood pressure, ulcers or other GI issues, thyroid problems, or any other ongoing health concerns.
Also speakwith your doctor before consuming medicinally if you are taking any medications, especially the following:
- Blood-thinning medications
- Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
- Birth control pills
- Cyclosporine
- Medications for HIV/AIDS
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
These are the best ways to guard against any possible negative side effects:
- Consume it in culinary doses
- Eat traditional recipes
- Avoid taking raw garlic in massive amounts
Final Thoughts
- Some of the most profound benefits of raw garlic proven by science include helping reverse heart disease in its early stages, prevent and fight various forms of cancer, improve the health of diabetics, and even showing promise for serious cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s.
- To make the most of its active compounds, it’s best to eitherconsume it raw or to crush/cut it and leave it out for a bit (10 minutes) before you add it to your cooked recipes.
- A clove with a meal each day is a great, easy way to start reaping benefits on a consistent basis. Remember to consume the raw version with food rather than on an empty stomach to prevent gastrointestinal problems as well as bad breath.
- If you find it hard to get rid of your garlic breath, just try eating some raw parsley afterward.
FAQs
What diseases does garlic Treat? ›
Today garlic is used to help prevent heart disease, including atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries (plaque buildup in the arteries that can block the flow of blood and may lead to heart attack or stroke), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and to boost the immune system.
How many garlic cloves a day to fight infection? ›Garlic Helps Boost Your Body's Immune System
Eating raw garlic can protect against cough, fever, and cold illnesses. Eating two chopped garlic cloves every day is the best way to benefit.
Raw garlic retains higher amounts of allicin, a beneficial sulfur-containing compound. Garlic has been shown to improve immunity, stabilize blood sugar levels, and support heart and brain health.
How long does it take for raw garlic to work in your body? ›How long do you need to take garlic extract to start experiencing its benefits? Since some of the beneficial compounds in garlic extract are fat-soluble, it may take 1-2 weeks for this substance to deliver noticeable effects.
Does garlic clean arteries? ›The supplement Aged Garlic Extract can reverse the buildup of deadly plaque in arteries and help prevent the progression of heart disease, according to a new study scheduled for publication in the Journal of Nutrition.
What bacteria can be killed by garlic? ›Garlic is a strong antimicrobial agent and acts as an inhibitor on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Can garlic cure any type of infection? ›Numerous modern studies confirm that garlic has definite antibiotic properties and is effective against a wide spectrum of bacteria, fungi and viruses (9, 10).
Is garlic more powerful than antibiotics? ›Today, researchers found another reason to love garlic as much as the guy in the clip above (and Les Blank, who made the movie it's taken from, Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers): a compound found in the humble bulb is one hundred times more effective than pharmaceutical antibiotics at killing the most common kind of ...
Is garlic a powerful natural antibiotic? ›Garlic contains allicin. This is a strong antibiotic. It's released when cloves are crushed or chewed. Garlic has been used as an antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal agent.
What is the right time to eat garlic? ›Eating a few garlic cloves on an empty stomach in the morning helps in reducing weight as it dissolves accumulated body fat. The boosting level which is present in garlic helps to burn calories faster. It makes you feel full for a long time and minimises any carving.
What is the healthiest way to eat garlic? ›
Raw garlic contains a component called Allicin, which helps in thinning the blood and reduces the cholesterol levels. Thus, the best way to consume garlic is by eating raw garlic on an empty stomach as the fresh garlic contains Allicin and this component gets diluted during the process of cooking.
What happens if you take a clove of garlic everyday? ›It improves your body's natural defenses, leading to a stronger immune system and better overall health. The World Health Organization recommends eating about one clove of fresh garlic daily. If you have digestive problems, consume this spice along with other foods to prevent stomach upset.
What happens when you eat garlic first thing in the morning? ›Eating 4-5 garlic cloves in the morning can help to boost your immunity, which is essential now when we have entered the winter season. It contains compounds that help the immune system fight free radicals and disease-causing foreign pathogens.
What is the 10 minute garlic rule? ›Crush, chop or mince garlic and keep it away from heat for 10 minutes. During this time the maximum allicin is created and stays intact during cooking. You can then fry, saute, bake to your heart's content and still get all its medicine. THAT'S IT!
What does raw garlic do to the brain? ›Brain TRP, 5-HT, and 5-HIAA levels were also significantly increased following garlic administration. A significant improvement in memory function was exhibited by garlic-treated rats in the passive avoidance test. Increased brain 5-HT levels were associated with improved cognitive performance.
Can garlic cure blood circulation? ›Garlic is well known for its beneficial impact on circulation and heart health. Studies suggest that garlic — specifically, its sulfur compounds, which include allicin — can increase tissue blood flow and lower blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels ( 20 ).
How much garlic does it take to unclog arteries? ›One study showed that eating just one half to one clove of garlic per day decreased total serum cholesterol levels by 9 percent in the participants studied. 7 Nuts. If you're looking for a healthy snack to munch on while benefiting from a natural way to clean arteries, reach for a handful of nuts.
Does garlic remove artery plaque? ›Several previous studies have demonstrated that aged garlic extract (AGE) inhibits the progression of coronary artery calcification and non-calcified plaque (NCP) in the general population.
Does garlic heal the gut? ›Garlic also contains prebiotics, a type of fiber that feeds good gut bacteria. So if you are suffering from an imbalance of bacteria in the gut microbiome, know that garlic works as both an antibiotic (killing off hostile bacteria) and a prebiotic (feeding good bacteria).
How do I use garlic as an antibiotic? ›You can purchase garlic concentrate or extract at your local health food store. You may also be able to make your own by soaking a few garlic cloves in olive oil. Garlic is generally safe to ingest, but large doses might cause internal bleeding. Up to two cloves per day is considered an acceptable dosage.
What's the strongest natural antibiotic? ›
Honey. Honey tops the list of antibiotics and is known for its extensive healing properties. The presence of hydrogen peroxide in honey exhibits strong antibacterial properties. In addition, the high sugar content thwarts the growth of bacteria.
How much garlic to use as antibiotic? ›Up to 25 g of garlic a day can be consumed without posing a risk of toxic side effects. Prakash cautions that it is too early to say how much allicin intake will reap intestinal rewards against VRE.
What are the healing properties of garlic? ›Garlic and its secondary metabolites have shown excellent health-promoting and disease-preventing effects on many human common diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, blood pressure, and diabetes, through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties, as demonstrated in ...
What is the most well known positive effect of garlic? ›Garlic is widely recognized for its ability to fight bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even parasites. One study found that allicin, an active component of freshly crushed garlic, had antiviral properties and was also effective against a broad range of bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli.
What kills bacteria inside the body? ›Antibiotics are medicines that help stop infections caused by bacteria. They do this by killing the bacteria or by keeping them from copying themselves or reproducing. The word antibiotic means “against life.” Any drug that kills germs in your body is technically an antibiotic.
Is garlic stronger than amoxicillin? ›Garlic compound fights source of food-borne illness better than antibiotics. Summary: A compound in garlic is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics at fighting the Campylobacter bacterium, one of the most common causes of intestinal illness.
Is garlic as good as penicillin? ›When crushed, allicin is released. This chemical element is the component that gives Garlic its strong odor and is mainly responsible for the powerful pharmacological properties of the plant. One medium clove of Garlic can equal the antibacterial action equivalent to 1% penicillin.
Can ginger and garlic cure infection? ›Garlic and ginger offer powerful antiviral and antibacterial effects against a variety of pathogens, including the flu and respiratory infections ( 46 , 47 ).
Do you have to chew garlic or swallow? ›We conclude that undamaged garlic (swallowed) had no lowering effect on lipid level of serum. But Crushed garlic (chewed) reduces cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA and blood pressure.
Can we drink water after eating garlic on empty stomach? ›Eating raw garlic with a glass of water every day in the morning can be really beneficial for your overall well-being. Garlic is one of the most commonly used herbs in Indian kitchens.
What is the benefits of eating garlic before bed? ›
Can garlic help you sleep? Amongst its other valuable nutrients, garlic contains zinc and high concentrations of sulfurous compounds like allicin, which naturally promote relaxation, helping you fall asleep faster.
What should I eat after raw garlic? ›Eat produce like apples, spinach, or mint
One study indicated that the chemical makeup of raw or heated apples, lettuce, and mint helped deodorize garlic breath. Hot green tea and lemon juice may also help.
You shouldn't add too much garlic to your diet, too quickly. "One to two cloves a day should be the maximum consumed by anyone," says Tracey Brigman, a food and nutrition expert at the University of Georgia. Eating more than that may cause upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, or bad breath.
How many cloves of garlic is needed for immunity? ›Try to incorporate one to three cloves of garlic every day in your diet. To maximize the benefits of the allicin in garlic you should wait 10 minutes after cutting it before eating it.
Is garlic good for kidney? ›Due to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties garlic is a good nutritional food candidate for use in a “Food as Medicine” approach for chronic kidney disease (CKD) [6,7].
How to use garlic for eyesight? ›The eyes also benefit from garlic. Not only does it help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but it can help prevent cataract development and promote proper lens focusing. That's because it contains sulphur and quercetin. One clove of garlic per day can provide a lot of protection for the eyes.
Can you swallow garlic without chewing? ›According to Lutzi, you can still get the health benefits of eating garlic if you swallow it whole. She recommends cutting the clove into four small pieces and swallowing it whole like a pill to avoid the pungent effect of chewing it.
Does garlic thin the blood like aspirin? ›Garlic is known to be a blood thinner due its anti-platelet properties. Ajoene, a sulphur containing derivative of garlic, irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation,2, potentiating anticoagulants such as aspirin, warfarin, dipyrimadole and clopidogrel.
How long does it take to see the effects of garlic? ›How long do you need to take garlic extract to start experiencing its benefits? Since some of the beneficial compounds in garlic extract are fat-soluble, it may take 1-2 weeks for this substance to deliver noticeable effects.
How long does garlic stay in your bloodstream? ›Allicin and derivatives
The absorption and metabolism of allicin and allicin-derived compounds (see Figure 2) are only partially understood (7). In humans, no allicin has been detected in the serum or urine up to 24 hours after the ingestion of 25 g of raw garlic containing a significant amount of allicin (8).
How much raw garlic per day is safe? ›
The ingestion of one to two cloves of raw garlic per day is considered safe in adults. The most common side effect of ingested garlic is breath and body odor.
Does garlic clear the lungs? ›Garlic has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which are beneficial in disease conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Recent studies have concluded that garlic has protective effects in lung cancer patients and it can be a chemopreventive agent for lung cancer.
Does raw garlic cleanse the liver? ›Garlic: Garlic contains selenium, a mineral that helps to detoxify the liver. It also has the ability to activate liver enzymes that can help your body naturally flush out toxins.
Does raw garlic detox your body? ›Garlic has long been known for its heart benefits, however, pungent food is also good at detoxifying the body. Garlic is not only antiviral, antibacterial and antibiotic, but it contains a chemical called allicin which promotes the production of white blood cells and helps fight against toxins.
Can garlic cure any infection? ›Garlic is known for its antibiotic qualities. Allicin — the major biologically active component of garlic — exhibits antibacterial and antifungal properties and is used in medical treatment and studies.
Why would a doctor prescribe garlic? ›Garlic taken orally (by mouth) has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating high blood pressure, coronary artery disease (hardened arteries), stomach cancer, colon cancer or rectal cancer, and in preventing tick bites.
How does garlic help healing? ›The Secret Healing Ingredients in Garlic
A single clove of garlic contains many nutrients that promote healing, boost the immune system, and prevent infection. These compounds include manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium. Garlic also contains trace amounts of other nutrients.
A compound in garlic is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics at fighting the Campylobacter bacterium, one of the most common causes of intestinal illness.
Why is garlic the best antibiotic? ›Garlic contains allicin. This is a strong antibiotic. It's released when cloves are crushed or chewed. Garlic has been used as an antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal agent.
Can garlic cure bacterial? ›Numerous modern studies confirm that garlic has definite antibiotic properties and is effective against a wide spectrum of bacteria, fungi and viruses (9, 10). In addition, the antimicrobial activities of garlic are linked to the presence of some bioactive compounds (11).
What Organs Is garlic good for? ›
Garlic may increase longevity: Garlic can benefit the heart, brain, and other organs. It reduces risk factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and heavy metal toxicity, which can help people live longer. Garlic is also a rich source of antioxidants and nutrients, and it boosts the immune system as well.
How does garlic cleanse the body? ›Garlic has long been known for its heart benefits, however, pungent food is also good at detoxifying the body. Garlic is not only antiviral, antibacterial and antibiotic, but it contains a chemical called allicin which promotes the production of white blood cells and helps fight against toxins.
Why is garlic so powerful? ›Garlic is widely recognized for its ability to fight bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even parasites. One study found that allicin, an active component of freshly crushed garlic, had antiviral properties and was also effective against a broad range of bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli.
Is garlic good for nerve damage? ›Garlic is your friend!
Like all pain, back pain is caused by inflammation in the body which impacts nerves. Garlic does, in fact, feature anti-inflammatory properties which can be useful for back pain sufferers.
Although no official recommendations exist for how much garlic you should eat, studies show that eating 1–2 cloves (3–6 grams) per day may have health benefits ( 1 ). If you notice any side effects after eating more than this amount, consider reducing your intake.