Garlic is one of the most underrated vegetables in the world. Though it has a pungent smell, this powerful vegetable provides a range of health benefits that are often overlooked. Did you know that garlic can help improve your cardiovascular health, help fight off infection, and even provide anti-cancer properties? Read on to learn more about the surprising health benefits of garlic!
1. Improve your cardiovascular health
As mentioned before, garlic can help improve your cardiovascular health. This is because garlic contains a compound called allicin, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood (thus reducing your risk of heart disease). Allicin is also responsible for garlic’s pungent smell – so the stronger the smell, the more potent the allicin!
In addition to its cardiovascular benefits, garlic can also help fight off infection. This is due to garlic’s natural antimicrobial properties, which make it an effective treatment against bacterial and fungal infections. In fact, garlic has even been used as a natural antibiotic in some cultures for centuries!
2. Improves Blood Flow
One of the most impressive benefits of garlic is its ability to improve blood flow. This is due to garlic’s high content of allicin, an organic compound that has been shown to relax the smooth muscles that line your arteries. By relaxing these muscles, garlic can help improve blood flow and reduce your risk of heart disease.
3. Fight infection
Another benefit of garlic is its ability to fight off infection. This is thanks to allicin’s antimicrobial properties, which can help kill bacteria and viruses. Garlic has even been used traditionally to treat respiratory infections like the flu and common cold.
4. Boosts the Immune System
One of the most well-known benefits of garlic is its ability to boost the immune system. This veggie is packed with antioxidants that help fight off infection and keep your body healthy. In fact, studies have shown that garlic can be just as effective as some over-the-counter medications at treating the common cold!
5. Anti-Cancer Properties
As one of the world’s oldest medicinal plants, garlic has been used to treat everything from heart disease to the common cold. And modern science is beginning to back up these ancient claims. Studies have shown that garlic can help improve cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. In addition, garlic can also help fight off infection and boost the immune system.
But that’s not all! Garlic also contains a compound called allicin, which has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Allicin is thought to help protect cells from damage and prevent the formation of cancerous tumors. So, not only does garlic taste great, but it can also help keep you healthy!
6. Reduces Cholesterol
One of the most well-known benefits of garlic is its ability to reduce cholesterol. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. Garlic can help to lower cholesterol by inhibiting the production of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as “bad” cholesterol. In addition, garlic also helps to increase the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol. By reducing LDL and increasing HDL, garlic can help to improve your overall cardiovascular health.
In addition to its cholesterol-lowering effects, garlic also has the ability to fight off infection. Garlic has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it an effective remedy for the common cold, as well as more serious infections. Garlic can also help to boost your immune system, making you less likely to get sick in the first place.
7. Increases Athletic Performance
One of the most surprising benefits of garlic is its potential to improve athletic performance. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consuming garlic supplements helped improve running speed, VO₂ max (a measure of the amount of oxygen your body can utilize during exercise), and time to exhaustion in a group of cyclists. Researchers believe that garlic’s ability to improve athletic performance is due to its effects on the production of nitric oxide, a gas that plays an important role in regulating blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles.
In addition to its potential to improve athletic performance, garlic also has well-documented effects on cardiovascular health. Garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure, slow the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke. These effects are likely due to garlic’s ability to reduce inflammation, thin the blood, and improve cholesterol levels.
8. Anti-Fungal Properties
Garlic also has powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help fight off infection. In fact, garlic has been used medicinally for centuries to help treat everything from the common cold to more serious infections. Additionally, the compounds in garlic can also help boost your immune system, making you less susceptible to getting sick in the first place.
9. Improve Cardiovascular Health
One of the most well-known health benefits of garlic is its ability to improve cardiovascular health. Garlic can help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, two risk factors for heart disease. In fact, a meta-analysis of 14 studies found that garlic supplements could reduce total cholesterol by an average of 12% ( LDL cholesterol by an average of 17% and triglycerides by an average of 11%). Additionally, garlic can help prevent blood clots, which is another major cause of heart disease.
Not only does garlic improve cardiovascular health, but it can also help fight off infection. Garlic has natural antibiotic properties that can help kill bacteria and viruses. In fact, garlic was used to treat infections during World War II. Additionally, garlic can also help boost the immune system, making it easier for your body to fight off infection.
10. Aids Weight Loss
With all of its potent components, it’s no wonder that garlic can aid in weight loss attempts. Garlic’s attempts to reduce fungi and bacteria, balance blood sugar, and improve workout performance can all lead to weight reduction.
This is a significant step forward for many people who are looking for a means to supplement their efforts.
So, there you have it! These are just a few of the surprising health benefits of garlic. If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your health, add more garlic to your diet. You’ll be surprised at how this humble vegetable can have such a big impact on your health!
