What are health benefits of garlic?

Garlic is a bulbous flowering plant that originates from the allium genus. The plant grows in different parts of the planet and has a close link to leeks, shallots, and onions.

It is an ancient plant existed for several thousand years as a traditional medicine. Scientists have confirmed its significance in health.

Here are the confirmed health benefits.

Medicinal properties

In history it is known for medicinal uses, today it is a common ingredient in cooking due to its taste and smell (1).

Clove is piece (lobe) of garlic, approximately ten to twenty are present in a single bulb.

Sulfur compound is released when garlic is chopped or crushed.

Sulfur compound goes into the digestive tract and travels to the entire body as result it brings effects to the body.

Diallyl disulfide and s-allyl cysteine compounds have a health benefits to body tissues and organs (3)

Allicin is a useful compound present when fresh garlic is cut although it is unstable. (2)

High nutrients value

One clove is 3 grams and is rich in Vitamin B2, Manganese, Vitamin C, and Fibers (4)

Also, it contains phosphorus, potassium, copper, calcium, selenium, vitamin B1, and iron. The clove contains many traces of nutrients the body needs.

The plant is beneficial in treating osteoarthritis and reduces the rate of bone loss. (8)

Reduce blood pressure

Cardiovascular diseases are the world-leading killing diseases.

Studies conducted showed that garlic supplements reduce pressure on individuals with high blood pressure. (6)

Another study showed that intake of about 600-1500mg garlic each day for 24 weeks, garlic was equivalent to high blood pressure drugs (atenolol) in reducing blood pressure. (5)

High doses are recommended for effective results, about four cloves a day are effective.

High supplement doses reduce antioxidant enzymes and minimize oxidative stress to high blood pressure patients (6)

Lowers cholesterol level

Garlic lowers cholesterol, bad cholesterol and total cholesterol.

Intake of garlic supplements lowers bad cholesterol by approximately 10 to 15% (7). It lowers LDL and it does not affect good cholesterol (HDL).

Detoxify heavy metals in the body

The sulfur compound in garlic protects against human organ damage as a result of metal toxicity.

A study done on employees exposed to lead from the car battery industry showed that garlic intake reduced the lead amount in their blood by about 19%. (9). Also, it reduced toxicity clinical signs such as blood pressure and migraine.

High doses daily for four weeks give positive feedback.

References

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11238795/

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25153873/

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27915041/

4. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169230/nutrients

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24035939/

6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16335787/

7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19060427/

8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21143861/

9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22151785/