What you should know before you decide to eat raw garlic
01/15/2019 // Zoey Sky // Views

Garlic has a distinctive pungent odor. This can be off-putting for some people, while others are drawn to garlic's aroma, especially when it's used to make savory dishes. But did you know that eating garlic raw offers certain health benefits?

The medicinal properties of garlic

Practitioners of folk medicine believe that chewing raw garlic helps release some active substances that can cure conditions such as:

  • Bronchitis
  • A cough
  • Digestive problems
  • Heart disease
  • Influenza
  • Pneumonia
  • Various types of inflammation

Some of these benefits have been confirmed by scientific research, and data has proven that garlic contains a beneficial compound called allicin. When fresh garlic is chopped, it releases the enzyme alliinase, which then results in the formation of allicin.

Allicin breaks down to form healthy organosulfur compounds. It also possesses anti-fungal, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties, and chewing raw garlic regularly can help fight off harmful organisms that can cause various diseases.

However, once garlic is cooked, heat may inactivate alliinase. Experts suggest crushing garlic and letting it stand for at least 10 minutes before cooking to let the alliinase work before heat inactivates it.

Research has also determined that garlic contains amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that can boost your overall well-being. Data from a study, which was published in the journal Advances in Therapy, showed that consuming garlic regularly can help strengthen your immune system. (Related: Garlic is a safe, delicious, and inexpensive way to improve your health.)

Brighteon.TV

As a preventive measure, chew two cloves of garlic daily. This can also help boost your cardiovascular health. If you already have a cold and you want to avoid the negative side effects of prescription drugs, chew more than two garlic cloves daily until you feel better.

Why is garlic good for you?

Aside from strengthening your immune system, garlic also has other health benefits.

  • It can help lower your blood pressure. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), people with chronically high blood pressure (hypertension) can benefit from taking garlic supplements. The allicin in garlic can help relax the smooth muscles in the blood vessels. This dilates the blood vessels, which can help lower your blood pressure.
  • It can help lower your cholesterol. Garlic may slow the development of atherosclerosis, a condition wherein plaque that contains cholesterol builds up in the arteries. When your arteries harden and narrow, you are at greater risk of heart attack.
  • It can lower your risk of developing cancer. Garlic can't cure cancer, but the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that eating garlic can still help prevent certain kinds of cancer. Studies suggest that there is a connection between a diet full of garlic and lower risk of breast, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and stomach cancers.

Before you eat raw garlic or take garlic supplements, take note that it may cause some minor side effects such as:

  • Bad breath
  • Body odor
  • Flatulence
  • Heartburn
  • An upset stomach

Consult a healthcare professional before you increase your garlic intake, especially since it can thin the blood. This can be risky for people with a bleeding disorder or those scheduled to undergo surgery.

If you're interested in reaping the benefits of eating raw garlic but are also wary of having bad breath, eat it with an apple. You can also drink a mix of apple vinegar, honey, and water after you chew on some garlic cloves.

You can read more articles about the health benefits of eating garlic at FoodCures.news.

Sources include:

ArticlesOfHealthCare.com

HealthyEating.SFGate.com

Healthline.com



Take Action:
Support Natural News by linking to this article from your website.
Permalink to this article:
Copy
Embed article link:
Copy
Reprinting this article:
Non-commercial use is permitted with credit to NaturalNews.com (including a clickable link).
Please contact us for more information.
Free Email Alerts
Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more.
App Store
Android App
eTrust Pro Certified

This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2022 All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.

This site uses cookies
Natural News uses cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy.
Learn More
Close
Get 100% real, uncensored news delivered straight to your inbox
You can unsubscribe at any time. Your email privacy is completely protected.