Garlic is one of the most common ingredients in
Indian dishes but apart from imparting flavour to
food, this tiny, white pod also has immense
medicinal properties. Used since time immemorial to treat various ailments, garlic is one ingredient in your kitchen that has a number of uses. Here are the top 5 health benefits of garlic you should know about.
1)HELPS TO KEEP BACTERIAL AND VIRAL INFECTIONS AT BAY
Due to its innate compounds, garlic can help keep both bacterial and viral infections at bay.
HOW DOES IT HELP?
They help control bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast and worm infections. Fresh garlic is thought to play a role in preventing food poisoning by killing bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella enteritidis, etc.
2)CAN HELP TREAT SKIN INFECTIONS
Since it has both antibacterial and antiviral
properties, garlic is great when it comes to treating skin infections.
HOW DOES IT HELP?
The chemical ajoene found in garlic may help treat fungal skin infections like ringworm and athlete's foot.
TIP: If you have a skin infection, you could apply the juice of some crushed garlic cloves on the area once or twice a day. Wash the juice off with some clean, room temperature water.
3)HELPS PREVENT THE FORMATION OF CLOTS IN THE BODY.
HOW?
The anti-clotting properties of ajoene found in garlic help in preventing the formation of blood clots in the body. While this fact is great for people with heart ailments and those prone to suffering from a stroke and other clotting disorders, it may also increase the risk of bleeding after surgery.
TIP:
To help stay healthy have one crushed garlic pod
everyday on an empty stomach.
4)CAN KEEP YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS IN CHECK
HOW?
Allicin in garlic blocks the activity of angiotensin II (a protein that is responsible for increase in blood pressure) and helps in reducing blood pressure. The polysulphides present in garlic are converted into a gas called hydrogen sulphide by red blood cells that helps dilate your blood vessels and helps control blood pressure. If your blood pressure levels are of concern, there are natural alternatives to blood pressure medication that you could try after speaking to your doctor about the change.
TIP:
To help control your blood pressure you could add garlic to your daily meals. Apart from that you could also eat one pod of raw garlic on an empty stomach to keep your blood pressure under control.
5)HELPS BEAT IRON DEFICIENCY AND ANEMIA
HOW?
Diallyl sulphides present in garlic increase the
production of ferroportin (a protein that helps in
the absorption and release of iron) and improves
iron metabolism — all of which helps prevent iron deficiency and associated diseases like anaemia.
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