Garlic - useful properties, harm and contraindications

The beneficial effects of garlic on the human body have been known since ancient times. The chemical composition of the spice plant is rich in macronutrients and vitamins. Garlic can be fried, stewed and even baked as a whole, but the vegetable will not lose its healing properties, which are widely and universally used in folk medicine. With the help of garlic, you can strengthen the immune system, reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood, increase endurance and performance, which is especially appreciated by athletes.

Garlic composition and calorie content

Garlic contains a rich set of vitamins, macro- and microelements. It has been scientifically proven to contain natural antibiotics. (Source - Wikipedia). The calorie content of fresh garlic is 148.5 kcal per 100 g and varies depending on the cooking method, namely:

• dried - 344.8 kcal;
• baked - 15.7 kcal;
• pickled or salted - 46.5 kcal;
• boiled - 20.1 kcal;
• fried - 41.4 kcal;
• stewed - 143.2 kcal;
• garlic pods (arrows) - 24.2 kcal.

1 clove of garlic contains approximately 5.8 kcal.

Nutritional value of fresh product per 100 g:

• carbohydrates - 29.9 g;
• proteins - 6.5 g;
• fats - 0.5 g;
• water - 60 g;
• dietary fiber - 1.5 g;
• ash - 1.5 g

The chemical composition of garlic per 100 g is presented in the table:

In addition, the product contains a small amount of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids - 0.0229 g and omega-3 - 0.02 g, as well as starch - 27 g and disaccharides - 3.9 g per 100 g.

© ma_llina - stock.adobe.com

Health Benefits

Due to its unique chemical composition, garlic has beneficial properties for human health:

1. The product helps to improve digestion, it is especially useful to add it to dishes that contain a lot of fat. In addition, the herb has a beneficial effect on the liver and gallbladder.
2. Consuming garlic regularly helps to lower the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood and increase the level of good.
3. Garlic helps to normalize blood pressure.
4. The product prevents the formation of blood clots and has the ability to inhibit the process of platelet adhesion.
5. The spice plant is useful in the presence of atherosclerosis - the product increases fibrinolytic activity.
6. Garlic acts as a prophylactic agent against oncological diseases due to allicin, which is part of the spice plant. It is also effective during cancer treatment.
7. The plant has antiseptic properties due to allicin, is able to fight E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Juice or crushed garlic pulp can be used to treat wounds.

Garlic is useful for athletes and people of physical labor - the product increases endurance and performance.

The benefits of garlic for the female body

Garlic reduces pain in a disease such as femoral osteoarthritis, from which women are more likely to suffer in old age. The product is recommended to be consumed regularly as a prophylaxis for this disease. The sulfur compounds that make up garlic have a beneficial effect on the condition of the ligaments, cartilage and joints.

Systematic use of the product reduces the risk of developing cancerous tumors in the mammary glands and genitourinary system. Thanks to the spice plant, you can quickly restore the body after stressful situations, improve the state of the nervous system and normalize sleep.

In addition, garlic is used for cosmetic purposes to improve skin condition and prevent hair loss.

Benefits for men

The most famous benefit for men from the systematic use of garlic is to increase potency, since this product is a natural aphrodisiac. When used regularly, garlic reduces the risk of prostate cancer by about 50%.

Thanks to the ability of the spice plant to fight bacteria, it prevents the development of infections that can lead to male infertility.

According to statistics, men are more likely to suffer from atherosclerosis than women, and the regular addition of garlic to food, no matter in what form: fresh, boiled, fried, baked or dried, will cleanse blood vessels and prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques in the blood.

© whitelook - stock.adobe.com

Healing properties

In folk medicine, garlic is used both for preventive purposes and for medicinal purposes. More attention should be paid to the product during the period of the spread of infectious diseases.

The medicinal properties of the spice plant extend to:

1. Sore throat. To cope with sore throat, you need to prepare a garlic tincture for drinking (5 chopped cloves pour a glass of sour milk, leave for half an hour, drink 1 teaspoon a couple of times a day) or gargle (1 clove passed through a press pour a glass of lukewarm water, let stand 1 hour and then drain).
2. Flu or colds. It is problematic to cure an infectious disease with the help of chopped garlic alone; it must be used as an additional remedy along with honey, mixing in equal amounts. It is enough to take folk medicine a couple of times a day for half an hour before eating.
3. Atherosclerosis. The medicinal tincture is prepared with honey-based garlic. To do this, you need to take half a tablespoon of the juice of a spicy plant and mix it with honey in the same amount. Take 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
4. Bronchial asthma. Decoction of garlic in milk significantly alleviates the symptoms of the disease. You need to take 12-15 cloves of garlic and cook in 0.5 tbsp. milk, drink enough tincture once a day.
5. Excessive blood viscosity. The blood thinning tincture is made from peeled garlic cloves and purified water in a ratio of 1 tablespoon of pulp to 3 tablespoons of liquid. Grate the garlic cloves on a fine grater and cover with water. Keep the workpiece in a dark place for 2 weeks, stirring occasionally. Then strain the tincture and add 1 tablespoon of honey and lemon. Eat 1 tbsp. l. at night. The number of components can be increased, the main thing is to adhere to proportions.

Harm and contraindications

The recommended intake of garlic per day is 2, maximum 3 cloves, if the product is abused, it can be harmful to health.

Contraindications to the use of a spicy plant are as follows:

• allergy;
• liver pathologies such as hepatitis or nephrosis;
• individual intolerance;
• stomach ulcer;
• gastritis;
• pancreatitis;
• aggravated form of other gastrointestinal diseases.

It is forbidden to eat garlic for nursing women.

People whose work requires increased attention and quick reaction (pilots, surgeons, drivers, etc.) are not recommended to eat the product before work, as garlic can cause distraction.

Excessive use of the product can cause heartburn, bloating and flatulence in the intestines. It is strictly forbidden to use garlic for people taking blood thinners, since garlic has similar properties and it will be difficult to stop bleeding in case of injury.

© dvoevnore - stock.adobe.com

Outcome

Garlic is a useful and versatile product that not only improves the taste of dishes, giving them piquancy, but also has a healing effect on the human body. With the help of a spicy plant, you can get rid of extra pounds, increase male potency and increase endurance. Systematic consumption of garlic will strengthen the immune system and prevent infection with viral and bacterial diseases.

Watch the video: 10 Serious Side Effects Of Turmeric. It is very important to know (November 2024).