The benefits of garlic:treating the common cold to fighting cancer

Garlic is considered an addition to food and meals, and it was described in the past to treat many medical conditions, and modern science has confirmed the benefits of garlic and its beneficial health effects, and nutrition expert Ralph Irani tells Al-Mayadeen Net that "balancing the use of garlic prevents its potential harm."

The benefits of garlic have been confirmed by modern science through many researches. What are the health benefits of garlic?

What is garlic?

Garlic is a flowering plant, native to northeastern Iran and Central Asia. It has a history of thousands of years of human consumption and use, either as a spice and flavoring agent or as a traditional medicine

What are the benefits of garlic?

Garlic contains compounds with powerful medicinal properties

Recent studies have shown the many health benefits of garlic thanks to its compounds, and the results of these studies have confirmed the importance of using garlic for treatment for thousands of years. Its use has been documented by many major civilizations, including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese.

Garlic compounds help create these health benefits, such as the sulfur compound that forms when a garlic clove is cut, crushed, or chewed. Sulfur enters the body from the digestive system and is transported throughout, where it exerts its powerful biological effects.

One of the benefits of garlic is that one “raw” clove of it contains: Vitamin B, Vitamin C, manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorus and iron.

Disease resistance, including colds

Garlic supplements are known to boost immune system function. A study found that eating garlic daily reduced the number of colds by 63%, and the average duration of cold symptoms decreased by 70%. But the evidence is insufficient, and more research is needed.

The active compounds in garlic reduce blood pressure

High blood pressure is one of the most important factors causing strokes and heart attacks. Studies have found that garlic supplements have a significant effect on lowering blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. 600-1500 mg of aged garlic extract was just as effective as the drug atenolol in lowering blood pressure over a 24-week period.

Improve cholesterol levels

One of the benefits of garlic is to reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels by 10-15%.

Prevention of Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Garlic contains antioxidants that support the body's protective mechanisms against oxidative stress. High doses of garlic supplements have been shown to increase antioxidant enzymes in humans, as well as significantly reduce oxidative stress in those with high blood pressure.

The combined effects of lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, in addition to the antioxidant properties, may reduce the risk of common brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

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Another benefit of garlic is what is known as a performance booster. It was used traditionally in ancient cultures to reduce fatigue and enhance workers' ability to work. In particular, it was awarded to Olympic athletes in ancient Greece.

On the other hand, people with heart disease who took garlic oil for 6 weeks had a 12% reduction in peak heart rate and a better ability to exercise.

Detoxification of heavy metals in the body

The sulfur compounds in garlic have been shown to protect against organ damage due to heavy metal toxicity. A 4-week study of workers in a car battery factory, who are exposed to lead, found that garlic reduced blood lead levels by 19%.

3 doses of garlic each day outperformed D-penicillamine in reducing symptoms.

Benefits of garlic in fighting cancer

Some studies revealed the ability of garlic to fight some types of cancer, namely:

Lung Cancer

A study conducted at the Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China showed that people who ate raw garlic at least twice a week during the 7-year study period were 44% less likely to develop lung cancer.

The researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with 1,424 lung cancer patients and 4,543 healthy individuals. They were asked about their diet and lifestyle, including questions about smoking and how often they ate garlic.

“A protective association between raw garlic intake and lung cancer was observed in a dose-response pattern, suggesting that garlic may act as a chemopreventive agent for lung cancer,” the study authors wrote.

brain cancer

The organosulfur compounds in garlic have been shown to be effective in destroying cells in glioblastoma, a type of deadly brain tumor.

As scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina reported in the journal Cancer, 3 pure organic sulfur compounds from garlic, DAS, DADS, and DATS, have been shown to be effective in eliminating brain cancer cells.

Prostate cancer

Physicians at the Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, conducted a study to evaluate the relationship between garlic consumption and the risk of prostate cancer. The study authors concluded that garlic intake was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. However, more prospective studies need to be done to confirm these results.

Benefits of garlic for men

blood flow

Researchers have proven that the sulfur compound allicin enhances blood flow. In most men, erectile dysfunction is physiological rather than psychological. Research has indicated that garlic extracts stimulate the production of nitric oxide in the body, which acts as a vasodilator. This production helps increase blood flow by stimulating the cell membrane. To maintain an erection, effective blood flow in the arteries is crucial.

Therefore, erectile dysfunction indicates hardening of the arteries, and eating garlic helps prevent cardiovascular disease.

Fertility enhancement

According to research, environmental factors such as pollution can cause negative effects on the male reproductive organs and reduce sperm density. Garlic in food acts as a medicinal herb, and is effective in treating the early stages of impotence. Also, the selenium present in garlic facilitates sperm production and increases testosterone levels, thus enhancing male fertility.

However, more research is needed to determine how garlic affects male fertility and testosterone levels.

Benefits of garlic for women

Garlic has many benefits in treating health problems in women.

Benefits of garlic for the skin

Garlic has a high status in treating skin diseases. According to dermatologists, eating garlic protects against UV rays and cancer. In addition, topical application of garlic extract can improve the following conditions: psoriasis, scars, wound healing, viral and fungal infections, leishmaniasis and skin aging.

However, the clinical efficacy of garlic extract in dermatological conditions has not been sufficiently researched yet.

Garlic to treat yeast infection

Women often suffer from yeast infections. According to Harvard physicians, about three-quarters of women will have at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetime.

Because of allicin, garlic can prevent the growth of the Candida fungus that causes yeast infections. For this purpose, garlic can be taken as allicin tablets or applied as a cream. However, you should always refer to the specialist doctor to describe how to treat.

Women often suffer from weakness problems due to low body immunity. Therefore, one of the benefits of garlic is to increase the body's immunity, thanks to its richness in antioxidants that help fight diseases and strengthen the immune system.

arthritis

One of the benefits of garlic is also getting rid of arthritis in women. Garlic has some properties that help treat osteoarthritis, diallyl disulfide present in it helps reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

Benefits of garlic on an empty stomach

Is garlic good on an empty stomach? Yes. Eating raw garlic on an empty stomach has many great health benefits.

Weight loss

Garlic is one of the home remedies used to lose weight, as it contains many nutritious properties that can help.

Raw garlic contains thermogenics, which generate heat in the body. Regular consumption of raw garlic helps reduce body fat, which leads to a gradual decrease in body weight.

Also read: Keto.. the one-week diet for weight loss

Control of blood sugar

Garlic is a very useful ingredient in a sugar-friendly diet. Garlic contains a compound known as allicin, which helps control and lower blood sugar levels.

Garlic oil side effects

Despite its various benefits, this powerful natural oil comes with some side effects. Responsible use of this oil, after consulting a physician, can help avoid these effects.

Bleeding

The active ingredients in garlic oil have anticoagulant effects, which may be dangerous for people who are on blood thinners, or who are preparing for surgery in the near future.