Garlic Press: Effortlessly Crush and Extract Fresh Garlic Flavor

health benefits of garlic

The health benefits of garlic are abundant which include reversing heart disease, improving the health of diabetics, and preventing and fighting various forms of cancer. Because garlic is consumed in moderation, its bioactive components – sulfur and phytonutrients – have many health benefits. Here are some of the most profound benefits of garlic that are backed by studies.

1. May Help Stabilize Blood Pressure

Garlic is beneficial in stabilizing blood pressure

Mature garlic extract contains a bioactive sulfur compound, S-allylcysteine, which effectively lowers blood pressure by 10 mmHg (systolic pressure) and 8 mmHg (diastolic pressure). Sulfur deficiency is one of the causes of high blood pressure and therefore supplementing the body with organosulfur compounds may help stabilize blood pressure (7). Heat treatment destroys allicin.

garlic supplements to lower blood pressure

2. May Help Lower LDL Cholesterol

American scientists found that aged garlic extract supplements could help reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 10% in hypercholesterolemic male human participants. In rats, garlic inhibited the synthesis of cholesterol in liver cells. Researchers further experimented with water-soluble and lipid-soluble compounds of garlic and found that the water-soluble compounds in garlic inhibited cholesterol synthesis by 20–60% (8).

garlic supplements to lower blood pressure

You can eat 1-2 raw cloves of garlic daily to lower LDL cholesterol.

3. May reduce the risk of heart diseases

Garlic is beneficial in preventing heart disease

Scientists have evidence that garlic can help prevent almost all heart diseases. It helps in preventing cardiovascular diseases by lowering bad cholesterol, lipids and serum triglyceride, enhancing antioxidant activities and reducing platelet aggregation. Garlic has also been found to be effective against atherosclerosis I ( 9 ), ( 10 ).

Garlic Supplements to Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases

To keep cardiovascular diseases at bay, eat a clove of raw garlic before your morning walk or morning run.

4. May Improve Bone Health

Age and an unhealthy lifestyle can make your bones weak, which means fractures and osteoporosis will start much earlier. Garlic has been found to be effective against osteoporosis and arthritis. In one study, scientists supplemented lab rats with garlic oil and found that garlic oil was able to suppress ovariectomy-induced bone resorption (11). Another group of researchers concluded that diallyl disulfide helps suppress matrix degrading enzymes and therefore protect against bone loss (12).

Garlic Supplements for Improving Bone Health

Consume 2-3 raw garlic cloves daily to improve bone health.

5. Can provide relief from intestinal ailments

Garlic cures intestinal diseases

An upset stomach or poor digestive system can disrupt your daily life. So, if you are suffering from intestinal problems, you can consume garlic. Garlic differentiates between good and bad gut bacteria in the gut and has an antibacterial effect on harmful Enterobacteriaceae ( 13 ). Scientists have also found that garlic is effective against H. pylori infection as well ( 14 ).

Garlic Supplements for Relief from Intestinal Infections

Take 1 raw garlic clove with a glass of room temperature or cold water before breakfast.

6. Can Control Blood Sugar

High blood sugar can put you at risk of diabetes, blood pressure, obesity etc. If you are suffering from high blood sugar, then you must include garlic in your diet. Scientists in Kuwait conducted an experiment with raw and boiled garlic and found that raw garlic significantly reduced blood sugar levels in laboratory animal models ( 15 ). Therefore, consume raw garlic instead of cooked garlic to help lower blood sugar levels.

garlic supplements to lower blood sugar

To lower your blood sugar level, eat 3-4 cloves of raw garlic.

7. May Prevent Thromboembolism

Saving the Benefits of Garlic in Preventing Thromboembolism

Blood clotting is good to prevent excess blood loss, but not when the blood clots break off and travel through the bloodstream to other vital organs like the brain, lungs, kidneys, etc. Indian scientists experimented with garlic. Participants were asked to eat 10 milligrams of raw garlic before breakfast every day for two months. The study concluded that garlic can be used to prevent thromboembolism (16).

Garlic Supplements for Preventing Thromboembolism

Eat 3 garlic cloves every other day before breakfast.

8. May reduce the risk of cancer

Garlic contains diallylsulfide which helps prevent oxidative stress, selenium present in garlic is known to have cancer fighting properties, DNA mutation and uncontrolled cell proliferation and metastasis.