6 Healthful Benefits of Garlic

Health Benefits of Organic Garlic

Throughout history, garlic has been more than just a tasty addition to pasta sauce. People from different times and places have used garlic to stay healthy and treat illnesses. Even a famous ancient Greek doctor named Hippocrates, who is often called the father of Western medicine, once said, “Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food.”

Today, modern research has proven that garlic is indeed good for us. Let’s explore why…

1. Improved Circulation

Poor circulation can be triggered by various factors, including smoking, obesity, Peripheral artery disease, and more. This condition can result in discomfort such as pain, numbness, digestive problems, muscle cramps, and other undesirable symptoms.^1,2,3,4,5

It’s all about the sulfur compounds. Especially allicin. Garlic and its sulfur compounds can relax your blood vessels and help with poor circulation by increasing tissue blood flow and lowering blood pressure.⁶

2. Healthy Digestion

Garlic aiding digestion? It surprised us too!

Garlic is naturally rich in inulin, which can nourish the beneficial bacteria in your digestive system, enhancing their performance and contributing to a healthier gut.

3. Relieve Blood Pressure

If you’re seeking a natural way to reduce your blood pressure, consider garlic supplements as a potential aid.⁸

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, often doesn’t exhibit any noticeable symptoms. However, it raises your vulnerability to heart disease and stroke.⁹

Studies suggest that by incorporating garlic supplements and lowering your blood pressure, you may potentially reduce your chances of experiencing a stroke, coronary artery disease, or heart attack by as much as 40%.¹⁰

4. Lowers Cholesterol

Looking to reduce both your overall and LDL cholesterol levels? Garlic could be the solution you’re seeking.

Studies have shown that garlic supplements may lower cholesterol levels by around 10 to 15 percent.^11,12,13

5. Cellular Detoxification

Detoxification goes beyond just juicing. Nutritional supplements, such as garlic, also have a part to play. Cellular detoxification is the process of eliminating harmful toxins from deep within your cells and assisting in the removal of toxins that build up in your body, including those from the environment.

Help purge toxins with the potency of allicin (the sulfur compound we mentioned earlier).¹⁴ Make sure your garlic supplements are of high quality and contain this compound!

6. Antioxidant Benefits

It’s not widely known, but garlic contains antioxidants that may have the potential to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.^15,16

Garlic’s antioxidants reinforce the body’s defenses against damage from free radicals. Taking high doses of garlic supplements can boost the levels of antioxidant enzymes and reduce oxidative stress.¹⁷

Sources

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Li, G., Wang, H., Wang, K., Wang, W., Dong, F., Qian, Y., Gong, H., Hui, C., Xu, G., Li, Y., Pan, L., Zhang, B., & Shan, G. (2017). The association between smoking and blood pressure in men: a cross-sectional study. BMC public health, 17(1), 797. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4802-x
An, Y., Kang, Y., Lee, J., Ahn, C., Kwon, K., & Choi, C. (2018). Blood flow characteristics of diabetic patients with complications detected by optical measurement. Biomedical engineering online, 17(1), 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-018-0457-9
Olin, J. W., & Sealove, B. A. (2010). Peripheral artery disease: current insight into the disease and its diagnosis and management. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 85(7), 678–692. https://doi.org/10.4065/mcp.2010.0133
Fardoun, M. M., Nassif, J., Issa, K., Baydoun, E., & Eid, A. H. (2016). Raynaud's Phenomenon: A Brief Review of the Underlying Mechanisms. Frontiers in pharmacology, 7, 438. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.00438
Mahdavi-Roshan, M., Mirmiran, P., Arjmand, M., & Nasrollahzadeh, J. (2017). Effects of garlic on brachial endothelial function and capacity of plasma to mediate cholesterol efflux in patients with coronary artery disease. Anatolian journal of cardiology, 18(2), 116–121. https://doi.org/10.14744/AnatolJCardiol.2017.7669
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Ried, K., Toben, C., & Fakler, P. (2013). Effect of garlic on serum lipids: an updated meta-analysis. Nutrition reviews, 71(5), 282
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