15 Health Benefits of Garlic

There are innumerable dishes that won’ seem right without garlic. Other than making food taste and smell more delectable, garlic also helps you attain optimum health. It’s for this reason why it is one of the many herbs used by traditional healers for centuries now. Read on to know how the strong-smelling garlic can make you hale and hearty in a variety of ways.

1. Possesses Antiseptic Properties

Garlic is known to help prevent bacterial, viral and fungal infections. In fact, the herb was used for disinfecting the wounds of soldiers during World War I.

2. Thins the Blood

Because of garlic’s blood thinning effect, its regular consumption helps reduce risks of blood clot formation and stroke.

3. Lowers Bad Cholesterol

Experts say that regular garlic consumption helps prevent the deposition of both plaque and cholesterol in the arterial walls.

4. Reduces Blood Pressure

Certain compounds in garlic cause the walls of the blood vessels to relax. Due to this herb’s dilating effect, it’s being used for lowering high blood pressure.

5. Increases Sex Drive

Because garlic helps promote blood circulation, its regular consumption helps improve a person’s sex drive over time.

6. Combats Inflammation

Anti-inflammatory properties of garlic make this pungent-tasting herb beneficial for people suffering from arthritis and allergic rhinitis. The topical application of garlic juice can put a stop to those itchy bug bites.

7. Keeps Excess Pounds at Bay

Inflammation is one of the causes of obesity. The regular intake of garlic, an anti-inflammatory herb, may help overweight individuals lose pounds more effectively.

8. Promotes Healthy Respiratory System

Because garlic is capable of killing off viruses, its daily consumption may help in reducing the frequency and duration of the common cold. The antiviral properties of this herb also make it highly effective against viral sore throats.

9. Regulates Blood Sugar Level

Individuals with diabetis may take garlic regularly to help improve insulin usage and normalize their blood sugar levels.

10. Prevents Cancer

Health authorities have found out that daily garlic consumption may help lower risk of cancer development. Sulfur compounds in the strong-smelling herb are said to be very good at neutralizing carcinogens, substances that cause cancer.

11. Enhanced Iron Metabolism

Iron is a mineral necessary for red blood cell formation. Garlic intake helps in improving the body’s iron metabolism.

12. Makes Toothaches Go Away

Placing crushed garlic on aching tooth helps put an end to the problem, thanks to the herb’s mild analgesic properties.

13. Promotes a Healthy Heart

Garlic helps maintain a healthy heart in different ways. It relaxes the blood vessels, thus causing the regulation of the blood pressure. Garlic’s antioxidant properties may also promote the reduction of bad cholesterol levels.

14. Improves Warts and Corns

Thanks this herb’s ability to melt off fat, regular rubbing of crushed garlic on warts and corns helps remove those problems.

15. Heals Fungal Infections

Topical application of garlic is known to be very good at killing fungi that cause athlete’s foot, ringworm and jock itch.