Garlic – The Aroma of Health
As I walk in the door, my nose is swept away, and begins to follow the path. The aroma is pleasing yet, in a strange way, powerful! I know what this aroma is, and whatever the dish is, it will be delicious and packed with an array of health benefits! I smile, close my eyes, and continue toward the kitchen, knowing what awaits. Garlic!
This path has been repeated so many times as I walk in the door to a dish my wife may be preparing. The aroma and flavors may blind us to its healing power, but my body is grateful for its consumption.
Garlic has a long history of use for healing and medicinal purposes, dating back thousands of years. It possesses many powerful health benefits. Most of these health benefits come from its unique family of antioxidants in garlic called allicin and alliin.
Preparation of Garlic
Allicin and its family of compounds are formed once the cell wall structure of the garlic bulb is crushed or chopped. The enzyme alliinase is released, and within 10 to 15 minutes, many amazing healing compounds are produced through the enzymatic action.
So, crush or chop it, then let it sit before cooking. However, raw garlic will always yield higher protective potential. Raw garlic is hot and can irritate the digestive system if it isn’t mixed with other foods. Eating a lot can also create strong body odor and breath!!
What an Aroma!
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a species in the onion genus Allium. Its cousins include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and Chinese onion. It is native to Central Asia and northeastern Iran and has long been a common seasoning worldwide.
Benefits of Eating Garlic
Okay, I know it smells and tastes great, but what are the benefits of eating garlic?
- It helps prevent and can even reverse some types of DNA damage. (This is a powerful benefit.)
- Garlic can help reduce LDL cholesterol.
- It is a blood thinner. (talk with your doctor before consuming a lot of garlic.)
- It helps release nitric oxide, which may help lower blood pressure and keep blood vessels flexible.
- It increases cellular glutathione levels. Glutathione is the master antioxidant in our cells. Glutathione protects our cells from toxic agents, both chemical and biological.
- It increases Nrf-2 signaling pathways. (Nrf-2 helps slow down and prevent cell damage from free radicals that cause disease and accelerated aging.)
- It can turn off the signaling process that cancerous tumors use to build a blood vessel highway that will keep them growing. (this is called anti-angiogenesis)
- It is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal.
- It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects that may protect the heart and cardiovascular system.
- It may help prevent certain cancers by suppressing specific cancer-causing genes and turning on apoptosis. Apoptosis is the natural dying of cells when they become sick. Cancer cells turn this process off.
- It helps remove toxins from the liver and may help reverse fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic liver disease.
- Garlic also has Vitamin C, B1, B2, and B6 and the minerals Calcium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, and Selenium.
Enjoy your garlic and try using it in a variety of ways. Adding a flavorful, yes, healthy impact doesn’t take much. You may want to give this garlic mushroom recipe a go.
How much is too much garlic? Really, has anyone ever asked?
While garlic isn’t in Vive Shake, we recommend adding both to achieve optimum wellness. To see how this whole-food nutrient-dense supplement will help you, contact us today at info@viveshake.com or 877-878-3009.