Are you a woman who avoids garlic for its pungent smell and lingering aftertaste? Sure, it’s probably not the best ingredient to eat on a first date, but why avoid it when it has so many health benefits?
Even if they’re a pain to peel, chop and dice, garlic is a healthy and tasty ingredient that chefs just can’t live without. Not only does it fight infections, reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure, it also “protects the body when taken in moderation,” says Livestrong.
So not only is garlic tasty – it’s healthy! Here are some of the health benefits associated with garlic.
There are so many nutrients in one ounce of garlic. According to Authority Nutrition, one ounce of garlic contains manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, selenium and fiber! In addition, garlic has virtually no calories! Perfect for a woman who needs a little taste but is also watching her weight!
It may not sound appetizing, but a garlic tea is a cold fighting super drink. Livestrong says that one study by the Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island gave garlic extract to over 40 men, all of whom had high cholesterol. The results? The small doses “lowered total serum cholesterol by six to seven percent over the course of the study.” A garlic tea may not taste good, but the anti-bacterial properties will boost your immune system and get you back on track.
If you have parents with high blood pressure, you may have seen them eating raw garlic or taking garlic pills. This is because garlic lowers blood pressure. One study found that garlic extract was just as effective as the drug Atenolol at reducing blood pressure!
One study of menopausal women found that daily doses of garlic decreases estrogen deficiency. That is a plus for women of all ages. Knowing you have a superfood food by your side can prepare you for the future and menopause.
Natural Society says diallyl sulfide and thiacremone have anti-arthritic properties that help with inflammation of the joints. The article also says these compounds may also help women with the inflammation associated with obesity. Apparently, “Fat cells cannot grow 100% unless they are able to move from a preliminary stage called preadipocytes to a stage called adipocytes.” Garlic “halts this progress.”
Historically, garlic has been used to repel mosquitoes and other insects. According to Joe Conlon, technical advisor for the American Mosquito Control Association, there is some truth in the myth that putting garlic on your skin repels mosquitoes.
“If you take garlic and squeeze it on your skin, that portion of your skin will be repellent to mosquitoes for about 20-40 minutes,” Conlon told ABC News.
Because of its anti-bacterial properties, garlic purifies your blood so that you have a lower risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and narrowed blood vessels, according to WebMD. Most of the health benefits come from Allicin, a sulfur compound found in garlic.
Garlic is a food you can put in pasta, make a sauce with or even bake with bread. Because it is so versatile and because it is so healthy, it is the perfect option to incorporate into any woman’s diet.
Is there a super food you or your family know about? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @entity_mag!
