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Garlic Health Benefits

Garlic health benefits have been known for centuries. Apart from the delcious flavour it can add to food, this herb is known to have medicinal value due to the presence of allicin, an antioxidant. There is a link between garlic and cholesterol, and garlic and high blood pressure, and it has been shown that garlic can alleviate these issues. If you have concerns about bad breath from using garlic in your food, you can take garlic pills instead.

Health Medicinal Benefits Of Garlic

  • Reduces acne
  • Prevents cardiovascular disease
  • Lowers high cholesterol
  • Has anti-aging effects
  • Decreases risk of blood clots
  • Boosts the immune system
  • May help with erectile dysfunction
  • Beneficial during pregnancy in preventing pre-eclampsia

Garlic And Cholesterol

Garlic has been shown to be beneficial in decreasing cholesterol levels. People with high levels of Low Density Lipoprotien (LDL) cholesterol have an increased risk of developing heart disease and suffering from strokes. LDL has the ability of blocking our arteries and therefore interfering with blood flow to our organs. Garlic contains allicin an antioxidant which scavenges hydroxyl radicals thus preventing LDL from being oxidised and reducing the amount of bad cholesterol in the body. While research is still needed to confirm the effect of garlic on blood cholesterol there is no harm in adding a little garlic in your diet.

Garlic And Blood Pressure

Another important health benefit of garlic is in the treatment of high blood pressure. Allicin has a soothing effect on the blood vessels in the body and causes them to relax thus reducing blood pressure. Garlic also has the ability to thin blood and therefore reduces the risk of developing blood clots.

Garlic Pills

Garlic supplements should always be taken with caution and after consultation with a healthcare professional as they increase the risk of bleeding if taken together with anti-coagulant medicines such as warfarin or aspirin. They also interact with other medicines and may make these medicines inactive or toxic in your body.

Cooking garlic at high temperatures destroys the active substances so remember to cook it moderately to enjoy garlic health benefits.

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