All hail the almighty garlic!
Garlic consumption has been shown to have numerous fantastic health benefits for the body. For thousands of years before garlic was used as flavoring, it was used as a medical treatment in ancient cultures! The health benefits of garlic were used by Chinese, Egyptian, and Roman civilizations.
History tells us that in ancient times, garlic was used to treat a variety of ailments including colds, respiratory issues, parasites, poor digestion, diabetes, fevers, and more. Today, modern medicine has provided us with very effective treatments for many of these issues, but garlic remains in the diet of many who are health-conscious!
There's an immense amount of benefits to garlic consumption. One of my favorite ways around this time of year to help with the seasonal cold is to fill a mason jar with raw honey and a couple cloves of garlic; eat a spoonful of honey and garlic when you start to feel that fever creeping on and you'll knock it right out!
Garlic is high in antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food or when you're exposed to harmful environmental factors. Ingesting foods that are high in antioxidants help combat those negative effects on the body!
Antioxidant properties can also help prevent certain cognitive diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's. Although, taking high doses of garlic does not mean you will necessarily be immune to the disease.
Garlic is a yummy way to add nutritional benefits without sacrificing many of your daily calories. One clove of garlic is a great source of B6, fiber, and selenium (which has positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, and bone health).
According to an article on Providence, consuming fresh garlic can help lessen the risk of colon cancer. During an Iowa Women's Health Study, women who ate garlic regularly with other veggies and fruits had a 35% lower chance of getting colon cancer!
Detoxification is the process of getting rid of things that don't belong in the body. It's an important part of good health and long life! We are exposed to a wide variety of chemicals and compounds daily while living in the world. Garlic is a powerful detox food that promotes glutathione production by various liver enzymes. It also provides other important detoxifying components, including multiple bioactive selenium and sulfur compounds.
Overall, garlic is a delicious way to boost your immune system, reduce high blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, prevent cancer and dementia, and detox your body!
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