Aside from the less-than-desirable breath it leaves behind, garlic is a delicious element to many dishes and we gobble it up with delight. When it comes to flavor, it's hard to find anything that's more packed with it than garlic. And as we enjoy our garlicky meal, health benefits rarely, if ever, cross our minds. It's all about the robust and pungent taste that pleases our palates, but as we're eating garlic, it's doing miraculous things for our bodies too. Here are 4 benefits of eating garlic that will make you love it even more than before.
Relieves colds and flu
If you're feeling like something's coming on, before reaching for OTC relief, grab a clove of garlic instead. As per Smart Cooky, "Taking 2-3 cloves of raw or cooked garlic a day or sipping some garlic tea (with a touch of honey or ginger to lift up the taste) is not only going to relieve a stuffed nose and cure the cold but also build your immunity against these frequent visitors over time."
Dr. Axe adds, "Experiments have shown that garlic (or specific chemical compounds like allicin found in garlic) is highly effective at killing countless microorganisms responsible for some of the most common and rarest infections, including the common cold."
Looks like garlic is nothing to sneeze at!
Good for heart health
Garlic may raise the taste level of your favorite dishes, but as it does so, it helps lower cholesterol. According to Smart Cooky, "Consuming garlic on a daily basis (in food or raw) helps to lower cholesterol levels because of the anti-oxidant properties of allicin."
Dr. Axe notes, "Garlic has been widely recognized as both a preventative agent and treatment of many cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, and hypertension. Probably the most amazing characteristic of garlic is that it's been shown to literally reverse early heart disease by reversing plaque buildup in arteries."
Heart health comes served deliciously with garlic on the menu!
Treats cold sores
A nasty cold sore can be a real eye sore, as well as a painful and uncomfortable condition. Garlic will save the day the all-natural way. According to Reader's Digest, "A popular cold sore home remedy involves holding a bit of crushed garlic directly on the cold sore; its natural anti-inflammatory properties could help reduce pain and swelling. Garlic supplements may also speed up the healing process." Talk about lip service!
For a step-by-step process as to how to use garlic for a cold sore cure, check out HubPages for directions.
Clears up acne
Unsightly zits and pimples are not something any of us want, but most of us suffer from breakouts at some point in our lives. Most people go for prescription-level creams and ointments or at least drug store remedies, but try some garlic and you may find that your skin clears up in no time.
As per Home Remedies for Life, "The allicin present in garlic possesses anti–bacterial, anti-fungal, anti–viral and anti–septic properties which kills the bacteria causing acne. It has anti–inflammatory properties which help to reduce the swelling, pain and irritation. It helps to improve the blood circulation that allows the skin tissues to properly receive all the vitamins and minerals which are essential for healthy skin. It has sulfur compounds called thiacremonon, which acts as a drying agent. It also helps in reducing the appearance of acne scars."
Zap those zits naturally and reap the other rewards garlic offers in the process.