Garlic 101: History / Health Benefits/ How to Eat

Allium Sativum – better known as garlic – has been celebrated for centuries for both its food-enhancing and life-enhancing qualities. While many of us use garlic in our everyday lives because of its delicious flavor, it is worth mentioning that this mighty vegetable also benefits our health immensely.

The History of Garlic

It started its journey in central Asia, domesticated during Neolithic times, spread to the Middle East and northern Africa in 3000 BC, which quickly enabled it to reach Europe. By offering its unique nutritional value and wide array of medicinal benefits, this plant was quickly identified as one of the most precious gifts of our nature. As a powerful antioxidant, allicin mops up free radicals protects against thrombosis and is reputed to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which contributes to better cardiovascular health.

Nutritional Star

It’s packed with vitamins B and C, manganese, selenium, iron, copper, and potassium. Garlic may be small, but its benefits are mighty. In fact, this little vegetable gives you a lot more than just bad breath. It also gives you allicin, an oily chemical compound found in garlic that packs a superfood punch.

Garlic Health Benefits

It’s been found that those who have lower blood pressure are more likely to consume garlic in their diet. Garlic is rich in phytochemicals, which gives it the potential to lower cholesterol and promote cancer-fighting characteristics. Garlic also has significant antibacterial properties that help protect against certain infections. In addition, garlic has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties for fighting diseases as an entirely natural but potent antibiotic.

The best way to eat Garlic

When you’re hungry! That’s the best time to eat raw garlic. The reasoning behind this is because the powerful component Allicin is diluted during the process of cooking. So next time you’re cooking with garlic, be sure to swallow a clove for yourself with a glass of water. This will allow you to retain all the benefits garlic has to offer.