The benefits and harms of garlic. Is it possible to eat garlic every day and how much?

Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and is a hardy perennial., belonging to the amaryllis family. Other members of this family are different types and varieties of onions.. All these fruits have a sharp aroma and characteristic taste..

Olympic athletes in ancient Greece were given garlic at the first Games - possibly, this is the earliest example of funds, improving performance, used in sports. In Russian, the word "garlic" appeared from the Proto-Slavic word ?esti, what does scratching mean, scratch, tear, tear. Garlic came to Russia from the mountainous regions of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

Nutritional value of garlic 100 grams:

• At the same time, in one clove of garlic weighing about 4 gram contains:
• 0,3 grams of protein;
• 0 grams of fat;
• 0,7 grams of carbohydrates;
• 4 kcal;
• 25 mg of potassium.

The benefits of garlic

Garlic, despite its small size, contains many useful trace elements. It is rich in manganese, cobalt, chromium and molybdenum. It also contains a lot of calcium and potassium.. Of the vitamins, garlic contains a large amount of vitamins B6 and PP.

Garlic has antimicrobial and antifungal properties

Garlic has a long history of use as an infection fighter against viruses., bacteria and fungi. In English-speaking countries, it is sometimes even called Russian penicillin due to its antibacterial properties., which are possible due to the presence of allicin in the composition.

Some skin diseases, such as warts, as well as insect bites can also react to garlic oil or crushed raw garlic clove. Also, the preventive use of garlic can reduce the frequency of colds in adults., American researchers write. However, eating it does not affect the duration of symptoms., if the person is already sick.

It must be remembered, that garlic is not an immunomodulator and does not help fight viruses, and also not able to strengthen the immune system. But as a healthy vegetable, it should be present in the human diet..

Garlic reduces the risk of certain types of cancer

According to research, conducted at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China, with people, who ate raw garlic more than twice a week during the seven-year follow-up period, risk of developing lung cancer was 44% below. The authors of the scientific work consider, that this vegetable has a kind of chemoprophylactic agent against cancer.

American scientists have found, that organosulfur compounds, found in garlic, effective in cell destruction in glioblastomas, what causes brain tumors. Organosulfur compounds have been shown to be highly effective in killing certain types of cells., and experts are doing more research, to create a complete therapy from these substances.

Other Chinese researchers in 2013 published a scientific paper, which described the effect of vegetables from the amaryllis family in reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer. Especially scientists noted the effect of garlic.

Garlic reduces the risk of heart disease

Researchers at the Emory University School of Medicine found, that one of the components of garlic oil helps maintain heart health after an attack. And other components of the fetus can be used to treat heart failure.

In another study, researchers found, that garlic oil may help protect diabetics from cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death among diabetics. This is a chronic myocardial disease (heart muscle), which is abnormally thickened, enlarged and/or compacted.

Garlic may also lower blood pressure due to its ability to dilate blood vessels., allowing blood to flow more freely.

Garlic Helps Maintain Healthy Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

Studies show, that the addition of garlic extract improves the blood lipid profile and enhances the antioxidant potential of the blood. It also causes a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.. In other words, Garlic Extract Supplements Lowered High Cholesterol, as well as blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

Garlic protects against alcoholic liver damage

The liver is an organ, which is severely damaged by prolonged excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Scientists from the Institute of Toxicology showed, that organosulfur compounds, derived from garlic, have a protective effect against ethanol-induced oxidative stress and support healthy organ function.

Garlic Supports Women's Health

Research by scientists from India shows, that garlic may reduce bone loss by increasing certain hormones. Especially the effect was manifested in older women when using a daily dose of dry garlic extract., that is, about 2 grams several times a week.

Another international team of scientists has identified, that eating garlic can relieve the inflammatory symptoms of osteoarthritis. The experiment showed, that taking garlic for 12 weeks may reduce the severity of pain in overweight or obese women in the knee and other joints.

As researchers write in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, female, whose diet was rich in vegetables, onion and garlic, had a low level of osteoarthritis (or osteoarthritis) This disease, affecting all components of the joint: cartilages, joint capsules, ligaments, periarticular muscles and cartilage adjacent bone.

How much garlic can you eat?

Garlic per day can be eaten from half to one clove per day. Already in this amount contains about 3000-6000 mcg of allicin. This substance, formed when garlic particles break down during chewing or cooking, and it has a bactericidal effect.

Some nutritionists say, what adults can eat 15 grams of garlic per day, or about 4 cloves. For children, this is the dose, of course, even less. However, one must remember, that excessive consumption of this fruit can cause negative reactions in the body.

The harm of garlic

Despite the numerous beneficial effects of the fruit, add it to your diet very carefully. Garlic may cause side effects if taken orally., such as bad breath, heartburn, gas and diarrhea. These effects are often enhanced when the vegetable is consumed raw..

Garlic products can be dangerous when applied to the skin. Garlic can cause severe damage, burn-like. Raw garlic can even cause skin irritation..

Rarely, garlic supplements can cause headaches., fatigue, anorexia, muscle aches, dizziness and allergic reactions, such as asthma attacks or skin rashes. See a doctor, if you notice similar symptoms after eating garlic.

If you are taking blood thinners, taking a garlic supplement may increase the effect of the medicine, which further complicates the process of blood clotting. Be sure to consult your doctor, before taking any garlic supplements.

Allergy to garlic usually manifests itself in the respiratory system.. The reaction can even come from the smell of a vegetable, dry garlic powder or garlic products. All of them can cause wheezing in the throat., cough and trigger an asthma attack.

How to choose and store garlic?

The main rule when choosing garlic is that it should be firm and dry.. The head should not be large or, conversely, very small. Optimal taste have fruits of medium size. Do not buy sprouting fruits, because they spoil quickly and have fewer nutrients.

Like any other vegetable, it should not have dark spots and traces of decay. Please make sure when buying, so that the seller keeps the garlic in a dry and clean place. The heads should not have a lot of husks and dirt.

You don't need a refrigerator to store garlic after purchase.. The optimum temperature for this vegetable is just below room temperature., or about 15-20 degrees. Find houses dark, dry and ventilated rooms and put the garlic there. Garlic is not particularly afraid of pests, because the chemicals in it protect it.

It's better not to keep them in a bunch, and in a box (eg, wooden) or on a link. If you plan to store garlic for a long time, dry it first. For Example, in winter it can be done in the oven, at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees.