Why You Need To Add Garlic to Your Meals
If you are a foodie and love cooking, you certainly know how garlic ranks high among the most important essentials of a kitchen, with other staples like salt, olive oil, and black pepper. A few cloves are all that’s needed to have a flavor powerhouse that can be used to elevate even the most basic of dishes, such as buttered toast, al dente pasta, and mashed potatoes.
Since it’s a common element in many of our go-to meals, adding it the right way is as important as adding it to your meals. How do you do that? That’s where a garlic grinder enters your kitchen. A garlic grinder helps slice garlic cloves evenly for a more flavorful meal. Now that you know how essential garlic is to cooking, let’s explore why it needs to be added to your meals. Besides being a must-have to add flavor, garlic has many advantages when incorporated into regular diets.
BENEFITS OF ADDING GARLIC TO YOUR MEALS
The following are some of the many advantages of using garlic in your meals.
Good for Heart Health
One of the key perks of using garlic is that it’s good for your heart. Compounds in garlic have anti-clotting qualities and reduce the ‘stickiness’ of platelets. As a result, you have better protection against atherosclerosis, the hardening, and the constriction of the arteries caused by plaque formation. But do bear in mind that using garlic shouldn’t be the only preventive measure you should take to ensure good heart health and that exercise is equally important.
Increases immunity levels
The allicin in garlic acts as a shield against free radicals, ensuring that DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is not damaged. Garlic has zinc which helps strengthen the body’s defense system, and infections are harder to pull off when you have plenty of vitamin C and a strong immune system. Its antibacterial properties make it effective against ear and eye infections as well.
Digestive Health
A healthy digestive system begins with a healthy diet, and eating garlic is one way to ensure that happens. It can lead to improved intestinal health and decreased inflammation. Besides, intestinal worms can be eliminated by incorporating garlic into your meals. One positive aspect is that it prevents the beneficial bacteria in the stomach from being harmed while eliminating the bad.
Enhanced workouts
It was a common practice among the athletes of Ancient Greece to consume garlic before an event. This is because when garlic is digested, it produces nitric oxide, a chemical that helps relax blood vessels and reduces blood pressure. This chemical is commonly released while running to deliver additional oxygen to active muscles.
Prevents cancer
Garlic’s strong antioxidant content helps prevent several cancers, including those of the lungs, prostate, kidney, gut, liver, and colon. Garlic’s antibacterial properties help to prevent peptic ulcers by clearing out any lingering germs in the digestive tract.
Osteoarthritis
Consumption of garlic regularly has also been associated with a reduced chance of osteoarthritis. A study showed how diallyl disulfide, one of the compounds found in garlic, has been demonstrated to aid in bone health and may slow the development of bone diseases like osteoarthritis.
Longevity
You read that right! Regular eating of garlic was associated with a lower risk of mortality from any cause in one study involving more than 27,000 people in China. Results from the study suggested that a regular intake of garlic could add half a year to one’s life expectancy.
THE BOTTOM LINE!
Garlic has been linked to several different health benefits, and many studies mentioned above suggest that consuming it in your daily meals can positively impact your health. Also, it’s simple to enjoy as part of a healthy, balanced diet and all you need is a few cloves a day.