Health benefits of garlic / lahsun

Harpreet Singh | September 10, 2015 | Benefits, Health, Nutrition | No Comments

Garlic belongs to allium family vegetable. It is a round bulb food which is used for culinary and medical purposes. This bulb is a cluster of separate fleshy sections called cloves. Remove the outer inedible skin to use it for food or for health purposes. The taste of garlic is pungent. It’s benefits include cardiovascular, anti cancer, treating common cold etc. The maximum garlic benefits are obtained by eating raw garlic cloves. Eating 1-2 cloves in every individual meal is an ideal health habit. In this article we will give you a detail list of health benefits of garlic .

Garlic Nutrition

Garlic contains phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which provide various health benefits. Eating crushed or chopped garlic after few minutes further increases the health benefits.

High sulfur content food : It is rich in organosulphur compounds. Crushed or chopped garlic produces organosulfur compound Allicin. Allicin is responsible for garlic’s aroma. It converts quickly into another sulfur compound diallyl disulfide. This imparts antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties to garlic. Other sulpur compounds promoting health benefits are sulfoxides and dithiins.
Low in Fat Content : One clove of garlic gives 4.5 calories out which 0.1 calorie coming from fats. Garlic contains just 0.02grams of lipid fats. A whole cup of garlic contains just 0.68 grams of lipid fats. It contains 0 grams of monounsaturated fats, 0.003 grams of saturated fats and 0.007 grams of polyunsaturated fats. O in cholesterol content.
Carbohydrate Content : A clove contains 0.99 grams of carbohydrates. A cup of garlic gives you 33.06 grams which is 11% of your daily carbohydrate content. Though it is not feasible to consume 1 cup of garlic everyday.
Traces of Vitamins : Garlic contains vitamin C and vitamin B6 in good quantity. A clove contains 0.9 mg of vitamin C and 0.037mg of vitamin B6. Other vitamins a clove of garlic contains – Thiamin 0.006 mg, Riboflavin 0.003 mg, Niacin 0.021 mg, Pantothenic acid 0.018 mg, Choline 0.7 mg, Vitamin K 0.1 mcg.
Protein Content : A single clove provides 0.19 grams of protein. 100 grams of garlic provides 6.36 grams of protein which 12% of daily body requirement. Garlic contains 18 amino acids. These amino acids are building blocks of our body and help in transport /storage of nutrients. A clove of garlic contains the following amino acids – Tryptophan 2.0 mg, Threonine 4.7 mg, Isoleucine 6.5 mg, Leucine 9.2 mg, Lysine 8.2 mg, Methionine 2.3 mg, Cystine 2.0 mg, Phenylalanine 5.5 mg, Tyrosine 2.4 mg, Valine 8.7 mg, Arginine 19.0 mg, Histidine 3.4 mg, Alanine 4.0 mg, Aspartic acid 14.7 mg, Glutamic acid 24.1 mg, Glycine 6.0 mg, Proline 3.0 mg, Serine 5.7 mg.
Mineral content: Potassium, calcium, manganese, phosphorous are present in good amount in garlic. In one clove of garlic , the mineral content is as follows : Calcium 5 mg, Iron 0.05 mg, Magnesium 1 mg, Phosphorus 5 mg, Potassium 12 mg, Sodium 1 mg, Zinc 0.03 mg, Copper 0.009 mg, Manganese 0.05 mg, Selenium 0.4 mg.

Health Benefits Of Garlic

1) Benefits to Arthritis Patients : Garlic reduces the pain and inflammation associated with Arthritis. Garlic prevents free radical formation which causes joint damage. It is mineral selenium in garlic that prevents this formation. Sulphur in garlic helps in collagen formation. Collagen is needed to form cartilage in joints. Damaged cartilage causes lot of pain to arthritis patients. Garlic intake repairs the damaged cartilage. Reduced cartilage is responsible for osteoarthritis. Thus garlic cures and prevents osteoarthritis . Other type of arthritis is Rheumatoid – this is caused by our own immunity damaging body tissues. Garlic boosts our immunity and improves blood circulation. Leading to prevention and curing rheumatoid arthritis problems. Eating Garlic is a must for arthritis patients.

2) Strengthens Immunity : Garlic is rich in vitamin C, B6, magnesium and selenium . These nutrients boosts body immunity. Garlic also contains allin and sulphur compounds. These compounds impart antiviral, antiseptic, antifungal , antibiotic qualities to garlic. Eating garlic increases the number of T cells in our body. T cells fights viruses. Garlic destroys bacteria, viruses and tumor cells. Diseases like cancer, cold and flu problems are cured as well as prevented.

3) Treats and Cures COLD & FLU: As we have discussed immunity is boosted by eating garlic. There are few chances of cold and flu occurring . Garlic reduces the severity of cold & flu symptoms. The best garlic benefits are obtained by eating raw garlic.

4) Fights Cancers : Garlic belongs to Allium family of vegitables. Allium vegetables contain quercetin, allixin and organic sulphur compounds. These compounds kills as well as slows down the growth of tumors. Diallyl disulfide present in garlic prevents skin, colon and lung cancers. This diallyl disulfide kills leukemia cancer cells. Eating garlic regularly reduces the occurrence of certain types of cancers. There is reduced risk breast, stomach, colon, pancreas , esophagus, colorectal , intestinal and prostate cancers. This happens due to – a) garlic’s antibacterial properties, b) prevents the growth of cancer causing agents, c) kills and prevents the spread of cancer cells, d) helps in DNA repair.

5) Reduces High Blood Pressure Levels: People suffering from high BP get relief from eating garlic. Garlic has the ability to lower high blood pressure levels. Sulphides and allicin in garlic are resposible for this lowering. Allicin reduce pressure on blood vesssels. Allicin blocks enzyme angiotensin functioning. This enzyme enhances high Bp levels. Garlic stimulates the production of hydrogen sulphide and nitric oxide synthase. Both are responsible for relaxing blood vessels.

6) Lowers Cholesterol levels: Garlic reduces cholesterol levels especially LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. While it has no effect on good cholesterol HDL levels.

7) Prevents formation of blood clots : Garlic acts as blood thinner. Chemical compound ajoene is present in garlic. This compound prevents blood platelet aggregation which are responsible for blood clot formation.

8) Good for bone health : Garlic increases the bone density. It reduces osteoarthritis risks. There is lower chances of fractures. Include garlic in your daily diet for having strong bones.