People have been using garlic to treat medical conditions like high cholesterol, hypertension, the common cold, and osteoarthritis for many years. However, not all benefits are backed by extensive research but used in medicine for centuries. The health benefits of garlic are stated below.
1. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China conducted a study over 7 years. The study found that individuals who ate raw garlic at least twice had a lower chance of getting cancer by 44%.
Garlic contains organo-sulfur compounds that make it anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. These properties are highly beneficial in preventing cancer and fighting off the disease.
2. Maintains Good Cardiac Health
As stated earlier, garlic has anti-inflammatory properties, and it helps the blood flow easily throughout the body. As a result, it reduces high blood pressure and keeps the heart from over-exerting to pump blood to the rest of the body.
However, one must keep in mind that this theory is based on a study where participants had consumed garlic supplements, and the doses were as high as 600-1500 mg. So, to get the same effect with raw garlic, one needs to consume roughly 4 cloves of garlic every day.
Similarly, test participants who took garlic supplements daily had seen a fall in their total cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol levels. Lower cholesterol levels reduce the risk of heart diseases.
3. Prevents Common Cold and Cough
The most well-known health benefit of raw garlic is that it wards off cough and cold.
Consumption of two crushed raw cloves of garlic on an empty stomach each morning helps cure cough and cold. Additionally, it also improves the immunity of an individual, which in turn prevents one from catching a cold quickly.
Furthermore, a study of 12 weeks found that 63% of participants who consumed garlic supplements regularly had suffered less from cough and cold.
4. Prevents Diseases Like Alzheimer's and Dementia
The antioxidants present in garlic prevent cell damage and ageing. Alzheimer's is the most common type of Dementia, and it has no specific drug for its cure.
Aged garlic extract has been found beneficial for preventing cognitive and memory deficits. It also removes oxidants, one of the contributing factors to cell ageing. In addition, individuals who have consumed high doses of garlic extract have seen increased antioxidant enzymes.
5. Helps in Maintaining Bone Density
After the age of 30, women face depletion of bone density, and after menopause, it aggravates even more. On the other hand, garlic increases estrogen levels in women, and it helps in strengthening bones.
Thus, adding garlic to one's daily diet can help prevent osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
6. Increases Athletic Performance
In many cultures, people use garlic to help with fatigue. For example, athletes in Greece used garlic to fight exercise-induced fatigue.
According to many Japanese studies, raw garlic mixed with aged alcohol helps endure exercise-induced fatigue.
7. Improves Renal Health and Fights UTIs
UTIs can be dreadful and raw garlic can help prevent them from happening altogether or at least help in curing them quickly. Raw garlic juice can help prevent the growth of E.Coli bacteria, which causes UTIs. Furthermore, it also prevents kidney infections.
8. Improves Skin Health
Garlic helps in reducing acne scars and prevents acne altogether. In addition, individuals can apply garlic juice to rashes, psoriasis and blisters. It might not fully cure the skin disease, but it will provide some relief. It also cures damages triggered by UV rays.
9. Improves Digestion
Garlic is known to have anti-inflammatory properties; hence it improves gut health. In addition, it protects the good bacteria in the intestine and removes harmful bacteria. It also removes intestinal worms.
10. Reduces Blood Toxicity
In a study conducted in 2012, it was found that garlic is a safer and better alternative in reducing lead poisoning in blood rather than d-Penicillamine.