Raw garlic contains a component called Allicin, which helps in thinning the blood and reduces the cholesterol levels. Thus, the best way to consume garlic is by eating raw garlic on an empty stomach as the fresh garlic contains Allicin and this component gets diluted during the process of cooking.
“You'll get the most benefit from raw garlic,” says Jeffers. “But if you choose to cook it, don't heat it above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). Higher temperatures kill the allicin, so add garlic to your recipes when you're almost done cooking.”
We conclude that undamaged garlic (swallowed) had no lowering effect on lipid level of serum. But Crushed garlic (chewed) reduces cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA and blood pressure.
To activate allicin the garlic has to be chewed (raw), crushed or sliced. You can change this and keep all the health benefits of garlic by making ONE SIMPLE CHANGE. Crush, chop or mince garlic and keep it away from heat for 10 minutes.
Studies have shown that garlic if eaten on an empty stomach acts as a powerful antibiotic. It is more effective when you eat it before breakfast because bacteria is exposed and cannot defend itself from succumbing to its power. Many people who suffer from hypertension have found that garlic helps relieve some symptoms.
How much should you eat? Although no official recommendations exist for how much garlic you should eat, studies show that eating 1–2 cloves (3–6 grams) per day may have health benefits ( 1 ). If you notice any side effects after eating more than this amount, consider reducing your intake.
Garlic can help protect against illness, including the common cold. Garlic supplements are known to boost the function of the immune system. A large, 12-week study found that a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% compared with a placebo ( 5 ).
Chop one garlic clove into 3-4 pieces and place it on a spoon. Drizzle a few drops of honey on the spoon and let it sit aside for two minutes. Now just have it and chew the garlic properly and gulp it down. You can also drink 2-3 sips of warm water with it if the flavour of garlic seems a bit overwhelming to you.
How long do you need to take garlic extract to start experiencing its benefits? Since some of the beneficial compounds in garlic extract are fat-soluble, it may take 1-2 weeks for this substance to deliver noticeable effects.
An intake of the half to one clove of garlic per day lowers cholesterol levels approximately 10%. [23,24] Mechanisms that explain the observed effects of garlic include a decrease in cholesterol absorption, cholesterol, and fatty acid synthesis.
Medical research links garlic to a number of health benefits. However, some studies have suggested that raw garlic may be more effective than the cooked version, while garlic supplements are the most effective.
After boiling, baking and microwaving both crushed and uncrushed cloves of garlic and evaluating them for their antiplatelet activity, the scientists learned that lightly cooked, crushed garlic provides most of the health benefits found in raw garlic.
The ingestion of one to two cloves of raw garlic per day is considered safe in adults. The most common side effect of ingested garlic is breath and body odor.
But although they may not look like nutritional powerhouses, experts say they are. Onions of all colors (including white) are good sources of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and folate, while garlic is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamin, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, copper and manganese.
Drinking garlic water might benefit you in numerous ways. It could help prevent illness, support your mental well-being, and digestive health. This drink may also reduce your risk of diseases such as cancer, promote weight loss, and help protect your liver. Even so, too much of this drink has adverse effects.
A mineral present in Garlic, called selenium can cleanse the liver. It can trigger liver enzymes, and naturally flush out the toxins from your body. The new-age superfood can cleanse the arteries, and help in gettin rid of the liver toxins.
Cutting a garlic clove breaks its cells and releases stored enzymes that react with oxygen. That triggers healthy sulfide compounds, such as allicin, to form. Letting the chopped garlic stand for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking allows the compounds to fully develop before heat inactivates the enzymes.
Amongst its other valuable nutrients, garlic contains zinc and high concentrations of sulfurous compounds like allicin, which naturally promote relaxation, helping you fall asleep faster.
"One to two cloves a day should be the maximum consumed by anyone," says Tracey Brigman, a food and nutrition expert at the University of Georgia. Eating more than that may cause upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, or bad breath.
One of the most common ways to consume garlic for health benefits is to have it on an empty stomach in the morning. This practice has been vouched for a long time by Ayurveda.
Garlic on empty stomach can also help to maintain a good immune system. It helps in decreasing inflammation in the body. Allicin, which is present in garlic is considered to be the best agent to prevent heart diseases and cancer.
Drinking a glass of milk with or after a garlic-heavy meal may reduce the concentration of compounds in the mouth that contain sulfur and cause bad odor. Research has shown that full-fat milk is better at reducing odor than fat-free milk. Lemon juice may help to neutralize the odor of onions or garlic on the breath.
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.
If you take an anticoagulant (blood thinner), such as warfarin (Coumadin), or if you need surgery, tell your health care provider if you're taking or planning to take garlic supplements. Garlic supplements may interfere with the effectiveness of some drugs, including saquinavir, a drug used to treat HIV infection.