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By Dr. Joseph Mercola WHY IT’S USEFUL: (SPONSORED BY FLUOXIDE AFFIRMATIONS) Garlic can be found in ancient medical texts from Egypt, Greece, China, India and Rome as a purifying agent and to treat abdominal or uterine growths or respiratory ailments, according to Hippocrates (known as the Father of Medicine) himself prescribing it for this use as well. He even used garlic oil in treatments like abdominal abscess removal. When given as medicine in these ancient texts from Greece by Hippocrates himself prescribed it as treatment of abdominal or uterine growths or for lung conditions along with its purifying properties. Hippocrates prescribed garlic oil for abdominal and uterine growths along with respiratory ailments while acting as a cleansing agent against chest and respiratory problems in cases as well.
Garlic contains many bioactive compounds with health-boosting benefits, including organic sulfides, saponins, phenolics and polysaccharides that promote its nutritional value and health benefits. Furthermore, garlic acts as an anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting, antifungal and antibacterial agent – making it an invaluable ally in combatting infection.
Garlic may offer therapeutic properties that act synergistically to promote heart health and protect against events like heart attack.
Civilizations around the globe have long prized garlic for both its culinary and medicinal uses, dating back centuries. Ancient medical texts from Egypt, Greece, China, India and Rome all refer to garlic’s healing benefits; Hippocrates himself recommended its use against abdominal/uterine/pulmonary growths as well as as a cleansing agent1
Garlic was widely consumed as one of the earliest “performance-enhancing” agents, used by early Olympic athletes as one of their “performance enhancers” and administered to laborers to increase strength.2 Although commonly described as an herb or spice, garlic belongs to the lily family3.3
Studies demonstrate the multitude of health advantages garlic provides, such as antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties – making it an invaluable addition to a regular diet.4
Nine Reasons Why Garlic Should Be Included in Our Diet
Garlic contains numerous bioactive compounds known to promote health, such as organic sulfides, saponins, phenolics and polysaccharides that have numerous health-promoting effects. Furthermore, garlic boasts high concentrations of potassium, phosphorus and zinc as well as enzymes and sulfur-containing compounds such as allicin, allicin ajoene and allyl propyl disulfide that have powerful medicinal effects5.5
Garlic contains many bioactive compounds, but when chopped or crushed it releases even more through chemical reactions.6 By including garlic in your diet either as supplements or food preparation methods you may gain several health advantages.
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1. Increase Your Antioxidant Intake — Garlic is an amazing source of antioxidants and may help combat reactive oxygen species (ROS) in your body. According to one study, aged garlic extract was shown to significantly reduce ROS levels – helping prevent endothelial dysfunction – an indicator of early atherosclerosis7
Garlic cloves also helped improve antioxidant activity among those with diabetes, while garlic extract taken as 400 milligrams each day for three months increased antioxidant status among obese adults, decreasing cardiovascular risks while also improving C-reactive protein (CRP), cholesterol levels and triglycerides levels.8
2. Reduce Inflammation — Garlic has long been recognized for its ability to help combat inflammation. Aged garlic in particular contains compounds which modulate cytokine production – an integral part of immune and inflammatory responses9.9
Researchers have also shown the ability of aged garlic extract (AGE) to improve short-term recognition memory and alleviate neuroinflammation in animals with Alzheimer’s-like disease.10 The study utilized fresh garlic that had been aged over time for at least one week prior to creating the extract, producing organosulfur compounds such as S-allyl cysteine (SAC), which is present in significantly greater quantities in aged and black fermented garlic than raw garlic.
Garlic can reduce inflammatory biomarkers among adults with end-stage kidney disease, such as interleukin 6 and CRP levels, offering potential benefits in terms of reduced inflammation.11
3. Reduce Cancer Risk — Garlic can have several anticancer benefits, including free-radical scavenging properties and inhibiting cell proliferation and tumor growth.12 It may even lower colorectal cancer risks – one meta-analysis concluded high consumption of raw and cooked garlic is protective against both stomach and colorectal cancers14
Garlic contains organosulfur compounds which have been shown to prevent DNA adduct formation, or segments of DNA bound to potentially cancer-causing chemicals.16 Additionally, organosulfur compounds have shown activity against tumor growth by initiating apoptosis17
Studies revealed that eating 5 grams of raw, crushed garlic every day for 10 days altered gene expression, activating seven genes to help inhibit tumorigenesis and help inhibit tumorigenesis.18 According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center research, people who consumed more garlic had 54% lower risks of pancreatic cancer compared with those who consumed less garlic.19
