The Health Benefits of Garlic

Tori Scott explores the potential health benefits of including garlic in your diet (as well as it being delicious)

Photo by Mche Lee

Many of garlic’s major advantages originate from an amino acid called allicin – the vegetable’s major biologically active component – which is released when garlic is chopped, crushed or made into a powder. The enzymes it provides help cleanse the body of harmful bacteria, boost the immune system, and protect against serious ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart disease and even cancer.

Here are some of the benefits that garlic can provide in more detail:

Garlic has antimicrobial properties, meaning it is able to fight against infectious diseases caused by bacteria including salmonella, Escherichia coli, pseudomonas, Staphylococcus aureus, and Helicobacter.

Alongside having antimicrobial properties, garlic also has antiviral properties which benefit in combatting sickness. These properties can help in staving off Influenza A and B, rhinovirus, HIV, herpes simplex viruses, viral pneumonia and rotavirus, although it should not be treated as an exclusive way to avoid infection.

Garlic is proven to be antibacterial and prebiotic which is amazing for gut health. Prebiotics – live bacteria and yeasts – are beneficial for the gut because they aid the digestive system.

Clinical pharmacist and nutritionist, Mike Wakeman, has stated that: “Research has documented that Garlic exerts a differential inhibition between beneficial intestinal microflora and potentially harmful enterobacteria”. This means that garlic’s antibacterial properties help prevent harmful disease bacteria from growing in the gut, making way for the beneficial probiotics instead.

Garlic has antidiabetic properties which are beneficial in helping control blood sugar levels. This is effective because of the insulin found in garlic.

Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas which helps your body use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. Wakeman tell us that: “Sulfur compounds in garlic have been shown to decrease the blood glucose level by preventing the insulin activation caused by the liver,” and thus “enhances the secretion of insulin… increasing the cell sensitivity to insulin”

Garlic is seen to boost women’s bone health by increasing oestrogen levels. Shahid Saoughi of the University of Medical Sciences conducted a study based on menopausal women which concluded that taking dry garlic extract regularly ‘significantly’ decreased oestrogen deficiency.

Heart attacks and strokes are the world’s biggest killers, and high blood pressure is one of the main key indicators and causes of such cardiovascular diseases.

Over a 24-week period, a study was conducted in which 600-1,500 mg of aged garlic extract was given to participants with a view to decreasing blood pressure in comparisons to the drug Atenolol. Ultimately, it was observed that Atenolol and aged garlic extract had similar effects in reducing blood pressure.

Garlic supplements seem to play a part in reducing total and LDL cholesterol (but not HDL cholesterol), especially in those with high cholesterol. In some cases, supplements appear to reduce cholesterol by 10-15%.

Garlic contains antioxidants which are known to support the protective mechanisms in the body against oxidative damage. Garlic supplements can increase antioxidant enzymes and reduce oxidative stress. The antioxidants, which can protect against cell damage and aging, may also reduce the risk of common brain diseases.

Garlic is an excellent source of vitamin B6, manganese, selenium, vitamin C, phosphorous, calcium, potassium, iron and copper.

The information within this article is provided by reports from Dr Roger Henderson, Joe Leech, Ms, Natalie Butler, R.D.,L.D., and Jo Lewin who are qualified to provide you with reliable information about the benefits of garlic. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking supplements or replacing medical treatments with natural remedies.

Article on a similar topic: The Health Benefits of Turmeric

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