Proven Health Benefits of Garlic:

Garlic contains compounds with potent medicinal properties

Garlic is a plant in the onion family that’s grown for its distinctive taste and health benefits. It contains sulfur compounds, which are believed to be responsible for some of those health benefits.

Garlic is highly nutritious but has very few calories

Garlic is low in calories and rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese. It also contains trace amounts of various other nutrients.

Garlic can help protect against illness, including the common cold

Garlic supplements may help prevent and reduce the severity of illnesses like the flu and the common cold, but more research needs to be done before any conclusions can be made.

The active compounds in garlic can reduce blood pressure

High doses of garlic appear to improve blood pressure for those with known high blood pressure (hypertension). In some instances, supplements may be as effective as regular medications.

Garlic improves cholesterol levels, which may lower the risk of heart disease

Garlic supplements seem to reduce total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, particularly in those who have high cholesterol. HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides do not seem to be affected.

Garlic contains antioxidants that may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Garlic contains antioxidants that can help protect against cell damage and aging. It may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Garlic may help you live longer

Garlic has known beneficial effects on common causes of chronic disease, so it makes sense that it could also help you live longer.

Eating garlic may help detoxify heavy metals in the body

Garlic was shown to significantly reduce lead toxicity and related symptoms in one study.

Garlic may improve bone health

Garlic appears to have some benefits for bone health by increasing estrogen levels in females, but more human studies are needed.

Garlic is easy to include in your diet and adds flavor

Garlic is delicious and easy to add to your diet. You can use it in savory dishes, soups, sauces, dressings, and more.

Common usage

Currently, garlic is widely used for several conditions linked to the blood system and heart, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, heart attack, coronary heart disease, and hypertension.

Garlic is also used today by some people for the prevention of lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, rectal cancer, and colon cancer.

It is important to add that only some of these uses are backed by research.

A study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology warned that short-term heating reduces the anti-inflammatory effects of fresh raw garlic extracts. This may be a problem for some people who do not like or cannot tolerate the taste and/or odor of fresh garlic.