sygnet

Garlic, due to its taste and strong smell, often evokes extreme emotions. Some love it, while others avoid it like the plague. Wondering if garlic is healthy? Most often we use garlic as an antibiotic, although its healing properties go beyond the fight against infections. Discover the reasons why it is worth reaching for it.

Garlic - nutritional values

Garlic is a highly nutrient-dense spice vegetable. It has many active ingredients in a small volume. It is a rich source of flavonoids, phytosterols and essential oils. It contains numerous minerals, such as iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper and vitamin C, A and B vitamins.

100 g of garlic provides about 150 kcal. Although it is quite a lot compared to other vegetables, it should be remembered that the amount we eat at one time is so small that the consumption of garlic practically does not increase the caloric content of the diet.

The key bioactive ingredients present in garlic include ajoene and allicin. Thanks to them, garlic has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. The allinase enzyme present in garlic makes this product anticoagulant. Allinase is released in fresh garlic as a result of crushing or cutting.

The effect of garlic

Garlic improves human health in many ways:

destroys pathogenic microorganisms and helps in alleviating the symptoms of colds, flu, urinary tract infections and diarrhoea,
helps fight Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which are one of the main reasons for the development of gastric inflammation and ulcers, and even gastric cancer,
fights bacteria of the Mycobacterium species that can affect the development of tuberculosis,
reduces the risk of developing anemia,
has antioxidant properties, thanks to which it reduces the risk of dangerous chronic diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, cancer, dementia, Alzheimer's disease),
improves the functioning of the digestive system,
is helpful in lowering blood pressure, the level of the so-called bad LDL cholesterol and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and congestion,
detoxifies the body and limits damage resulting from the toxic effects of heavy metals,
helps to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis in perimenopausal women and osteoarthritis.
Garlic - contraindications

Garlic cannot be consumed by people with blood coagulation disorders and taking anticoagulants. Limiting garlic consumption also applies to people with gastroesophageal reflux disease, liver and gallbladder disorders and a tendency to persistent flatulence.

How to use garlic?

Garlic is a product that everyone who has no contraindications should reach for it. It is best consumed on a regular basis, and the appropriate daily dose is 4 grams, which is equivalent to 1-2 cloves of garlic.

The best choice, of course, is fresh, minced garlic, which can be used as an addition to cold sauce, salads and even sandwiches. You can also prepare garlic syrup, which is very popular among home remedies.

People who would like to take advantage of the healing properties of garlic, but do not like it, can reach for garlic tablets.

Garlic syrup - recipe

Ingredients for Garlic Syrup:

3 heads of garlic,
3 lemons,
6 tablespoons of honey,
1 glass of water.

First, peel and chop the garlic. Pour it with lemon juice. Then add honey, water and mix everything. The prepared mixture should be put aside for at least a day. Ready garlic syrup can be strained and poured into a bottle.

In the treatment of infections, take 1 teaspoon of syrup 3 times a day, and for prophylactic purposes 1-2 times a day.

Garlic and longevity

Garlic undoubtedly deserves to be called a superfood and a product that positively affects our longevity. It is worth introducing it to your daily menu.

Products that contribute to our longevity can be found in the Baltic diet offered at the Sofra Health Institute. Meals are composed of high-quality, unprocessed food, which is rich in essential nutrients. This diet is addressed to everyone who wants to take care of their health or reduce body weight.