Garlic: Useful Properties

The beneficial properties of garlic have been known for a long time. This vegetable was actively used for the treatment and prevention of infectious, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.

The beneficial properties of garlic have been known for a long time. This vegetable was actively used for the treatment and prevention of infectious, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.

Garlic is a vegetable that many people have heard about. This is an effective folk remedy for the treatment and prevention of colds, as garlic has a beneficial effect on the immune system and helps eliminate pathogenic microflora. However, in addition to this, garlic has many other useful properties, which we will talk about in this article.

Benefits of garlic for the nervous system

Garlic contains a large amount of thiamine - vitamin B1. This vitamin is vital for maintaining the normal functioning of the nervous system. Thiamine is involved in the biochemical processes of processing glucose, which provides cells with a sufficient level of energy.

Thiamine is quickly destroyed when exposed to light. However, cloves of garlic are reliably hidden from the negative effects of light with the help of dense films and husks. In order to preserve the maximum amount of vitamins, it is recommended to eat garlic raw.

Garlic and infectious diseases

An indisputable benefit of garlic is its beneficial effect in acute respiratory viral diseases. Essential oils, phytoncides and other plant agents contained in garlic can destroy viruses and pathogenic bacteria.

Garlic can prevent the development of an intestinal infection if you suddenly consumed poor-quality food or water. Thanks to its antiseptic properties, garlic destroys parasites and other infectious agents contained in food that cause gastrointestinal disorders. At the same time, to prevent adverse consequences from food, it will be enough to eat just one clove of garlic. In addition, garlic is very useful for digestion, it helps digest fatty foods, as it stimulates the secretion of bile.

Benefits of garlic for joints and liver

Garlic contains a large amount of sulfur. The special smell of garlic is due to gray-containing substances (such as allicin). Sulfur is necessary for the synthesis of such an amino acid as methionine. This substance is a powerful hepatoprotector that protects liver cells from the negative effects of toxic substances. In addition, methionine is necessary to maintain the normal vital activity of cartilage tissue and joints. For this reason, garlic is often recommended to patients with hepatitis and arthritis.

Garlic for the prevention of stroke and heart attack

Substances contained in garlic help reduce the risk of blood clots by making the blood less viscous. For this reason, garlic can be considered a good means of preventing such diseases as heart attack and stroke.

Allicin, which is part of garlic, is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the level of low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol). Thus, regular use of garlic can reduce the likelihood of developing atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels.

General strengthening effect of garlic

Garlic contains a large number of minerals and vitamins, such as chromium, iron, copper, magnesium, arsenic, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and others. This is a real vitamin and mineral cocktail, which is necessary for our body, especially in spring, autumn and winter.

Garlic increases the body's immune status, dilates blood vessels and helps normalize blood pressure.

Antitumor properties of garlic

Allicin contained in garlic is a strong antioxidant. This substance neutralizes free radicals that are in the blood, thereby protecting the DNA of cells from damage and mutations that contribute to the implementation of the tumor process. Some experiments on animals show that garlic extracts introduced into feed help to better cope with tumor diseases at various stages of development.