Is Garlic Good For My Health?

Garlic is mythically known to ward off vampires, but it can ward off many health problems as well. But to get the most out the health properties from this wonder-food, it is important to know how to prepare it. Garlic has the most effect when it is crushed, chopped or consumed raw. If you are cooking garlic with food, you should not add it to your cooking until the last ten minutes. If you add it at the beginning of your cooking, the garlic will loose its health benefits. Try adding a few cloves to your olive oil and pouring it over your salad, this is a milder way to consume garlic. Now that we know how to prepare garlic, let's take a look at how it can improve your health.

High Cholesterol and Heart Disease

Cholesterol can be a confusing subject because there are two types: one that is good for you (HDL) and one that is bad for you (LDL). Garlic is thought to prevent LDL from oxidizing and building up in the arteries. It is this build up that can lead to heart disease.

The Mediterranean diet contains a large amount of garlic. It is no coincidence then that people from this area have a significantly lower percentage of their population that suffers from high cholesterol and heart disease. If you want to start taking garlic and you have high cholesterol, make sure that it is taken in conjunction with a balanced diet and if you have further concerns, seek your health care provider's advice.

Antibacterial

Garlic has been proven to have the antibacterial properties equivalent to 1% of penicillin. It can be used to prevent a number of harmful bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella. The problem with most antibacterial medicines is that the bacteria evolves and builds up a resistance to it, but with garlic this is not the case. The common cold can also be prevented with the consumption of two to three cloves of garlic. More and more we are seeing that it is essential to include this super-food into your balanced diet.

Blood Clots

There have been clinical trails that have proven garlic supplements reduced blood pressure by up to 5%. While this figure does not sound that impressive, the reduction can shrink the risk of heart disease by up to 25%. Garlic supplements make for a great alternative to those who do not enjoy the taste of garlic. If you are worried about garlic giving you bad breath, you can also take the supplement as an alternative.

Although garlic is a proven super-food that has many benefits, you should not take too much. Too much garlic can irritate your digestive system and cause discomfort. You should also take garlic supplements with caution; they can interact and reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs such as anticoagulants. Always consult with your doctor before you start taking a regular supply of garlic.

Source: EzineArticles