02/20/2019
Garlic
Garlic is widely used around the world for its distinctive flavor as a seasoning or condiment. It has also been used for its therapeutic properties for centuries, research is proving what a powerful addition to your diet it really is! Garlic is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. It is a good source of calcium, phosphorus and sSelenium, and is a very good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese.- Cut Cancer Risk. A 2013 study published in Cancer Prevention Research shows that raw garlic can lower your risk of cancer by 30 to 44 percent -- even if you smoke! The study included almost 6,000 people between the years 2003-2013 at the Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China and explored the association between eating raw garlic and the risk of cancer. The research found that eating raw garlic twice per week cut the risk of lung cancer by thirty percent in smokers. A lowered risk of lung cancer was also found in those exposed to high temperature cooking -- a known risk factor for lung cancer. Researchers believe that allicin, an organosulfur compound found in garlic, is responsible.
- Gain Cardiovascular Benefits. Researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that consuming garlic may benefit your heart and lower blood cholesterol by slowing or preventing the development of atherosclerosis. The study of fifty-three clinical research studies on garlic and blood cholesterol published in Current Pharmaceutical Design found that garlic consumption effectively lowers blood cholesterol in human subjects, reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Improve Cholesterol Levels. According to research published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the oils in garlic may lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. The American Society for Clinical Nutrition conducted a study of twenty healthy people and sixty-two people with coronary heart disease in which a group of the participants were given garlic to eat each day, while others were not. All of the participants who ate garlic daily showed a significant decrease in their serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The researchers concluded that garlic may play a role in preventing and treating health issues due to high cholesterol.
- Antibiotic Benefits. Researchers at Washington State University have found that a compound in garlic - diallyl sulfide - that is 100 times more effective than at least two commonly used antibiotics at fighting Campylobacter bacterium, a common cause of intestinal illness.
