Garlic is an herb that has been used for seasoning as well as medicinal purposes throughout history. It grows as bulbs in a clove underground. Garlic is important because of the various benefits that it can potentially have on our health. One benefit of garlic is that the active compounds present can reduce blood pressure for those who have hypertension. Hypertension is the leading cause for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. These sorts of diseases are the world’s leading killers therefore, helping to prevent or treat these diseases is very beneficial to our health. Researchers believe that it does this because red blood cells turn the sulfur found in garlic, into hydrogen sulfide gas that expands our blood vessels, making it easier to regulate blood pressure. As well as this, Garlic supplements may reduce total cholesterol as well as low density lipoproteins (LDL) in those who have high levels. High levels of LDL can be concerning because it can collect in the walls of our blood vessels which raises the chances of health problems such as heart attack and stroke as well. Unfortunately, taking garlic doesn’t appear to improve high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels or triglycerides.
In addition to this, fresh garlic can protect your food from bacteria that can lead to food poisoning by killing bacteria such as E.Coli and salmonella. However sanitation and proper food handling should still be in place to ensure healthy consumption of food. Due to these antibacterial properties, garlic can strengthen our immune system as well. Scientists believe that garlic has antiviral properties that may work in two ways. One is by blocking the entry of viruses into cells, and the second is by strengthening the immune response so that it can effectively fight off potential invaders.
Although garlic has many potential health benefits, precautions should still be taken and it has some drawbacks. First off, adding too much garlic to your diet too quickly can cause discomfort, including upset stomach, bloating, diarrhea, body odor and bad breath. On rare occasions, garlic supplements can cause headaches, fatigue, appetite loss, muscle aches, dizziness and allergic reactions such as asthma attacks or skin rashes. If you are on blood thinners, taking a garlic supplement can increase the medication’s effect but that results in making it hard for your blood to clot. Garlic supplements may also increase risk of bleeding, therefore, it is crucial to consult a doctor before consuming these supplements.
Work Cited
“6 Surprising Ways Garlic Boosts Your Health.” Cleveland Clinic, 27 Oct. 2021, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-surprising-ways-garlic-boosts-your-health/.
“Garlic.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic.
Leech, Joe. “11 Proven Health Benefits of Garlic.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 28 June 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-garlic.
Migala, Jessica, et al. “7 Impressive Benefits of Garlic.” EverydayHealth.com, https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/potential-benefits-of-adding-garlic-to-your-recipes-and-meals/.