Health benefits of garlic
Garlic has long been considered as a beneficial herb, and is known to prevent various serious ailments. Raw garlic is believed to improve our natural supply of hydrogen sulfide. In high concentrations, hydrogen sulfide is poisonous, but our body makes its own natural hydrogen sulfide that acts an antioxidant and increases blood flow.
The main ingredient of garlic is allicin, which helps protect our body from various heart diseases, by lowering levels of bad cholesterol. In addition, allicin helps protect the body from cancers (such as prostate, breast, and colon cancer), fights bacterial infections, kills viruses (including smallpox), controls weight and blood pressure, and protects against the common cold.
The effects of garlic supplements, such as garlic pills are considered to be relatively less as compared to raw garlic. Garlic pills do not have the key ingredient allicin, which is present in freshly crushed garlic. Also, the garlic pills are unlikely to produce lipid benefits. It is therefore recommended that freshly crushed garlic, instead of garlic supplements, is consumed everyday.
To get the maximum benefits from garlic, crush or chop it and keep it for 15 minutes before adding it to any dish. Avoid cooking garlic at high temperatures. This will help retain the beneficial compounds of garlic.
answered by M W