The Health Benefits of Garlic: What You Should Know

Consisting of bulbs from the Allium flower, garlic is a popular culinary ingredient. It's used to make everything from soups and bread to seasoned meats, casseroles and more. Aside form its unique and delicate flavor, though, garlic packs some powerful nutrients. Consuming garlic on a regular basis may even improve your health in several ways.

Antimicrobial

Garlic has been shown to exhibit antimicrobial properties. In other words, it kills and/or inhibits the spread of microorganisms. Studies have shown that garlic can neutralize certain types of bacteria, viruses and fungi. While consuming garlic won't necessarily prevent you from becoming sick, its antimicrobial properties can still improve your health. Garlic will help to defend against foreign invaders while giving your immune system the strength it needs to operate properly.

Manganese

Consuming garlic on a regular basis will increase levels of manganese in your body. Garlic is loaded in manganese. 100 grams of garlic, in fact, contain roughly 80% of the recommended daily value of manganese. Why is this important exactly? As an essential nutrient, our bodies need manganese to stay healthy. Manganese assists in the metabolism of cholesterol, carbohydrates and other compounds.

Heart Health

For a healthier heart, you should consider adding more garlic to your diet. Studies have shown garlic to promote a healthy heart. One study found that participants who consumed garlic regularly had lower pressure levels than their counterparts. And with lower blood pressure levels, they were less likely to develop heart disease. You should still exercise while also limiting your intake of saturated fat. Nonetheless, including garlic in your diet may lower your risk of heart disease.

Antioxidant

Garlic has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are compounds that defend against oxidation. The cells in our bodies will break down due to oxidation. While it's impossible to avoid all forms of oxidation, antioxidants offer a solution. Antioxidants defend cells from free radicals, which are substances that cause oxidation. You can obtain antioxidants from a variety of sources, one of which is garlic.

Anti-Inflammatory

If you suffer from chronic inflammation in your body, you should consider adding more garlic to your body. In addition to its antimicrobial, manganese and heart health benefits, garlic has anti-inflammatory properties. When consumed, it works to suppress inflammation in the body. Maybe your joints ache, or perhaps you're experiencing swelling due to an injury. Garlic will suppress inflammation caused by common conditions and injuries such as these.