HEALTH BENEFITS OF GARLIC AS COMPARED TO GINGER

 

Eating foods rich in garlic is a popular health tip that can help with everything from easing common colds to lowering your risk of heart disease and even cancer. Find out about the five key benefits of garlic and how you can add it to your daily diet.

Garlic may have many health benefits and be used as a treatment for candidiasis, colds and respiratory tract infections (RTIs), central nervous system disorders, high cholesterol, and hypertension.  Garlic is also thought to have other benefits such as lowering risk of certain cancers and reducing inflammation.   

Garlic is one of the most versatile and tasty ingredients out there. It can be found in almost any prepared meal and is also used to add flavor to just about every type of food. The versatility of garlic makes it a very popular ingredient, but did you know that it's health benefits go far beyond what you would expect?

Garlic is a must-have food in our kitchen.  It is delicious and can be beneficial for your health!  Garlic is famous for its health benefits and long history of use as a food seasoning, medicine, and even as a mosquito repellent.   Garlic is part of the onion family, Allium sativum. Garlic cloves look similar to those of garlic plants but are small bulbs–the size of an average clove of garlic depending on the variety of garlic being grown. The taste and smell of garlic are due to a substance called allicin (see figure below). This substance is stored in small sacs within cells that produce stalks/roots of the plant (bulb) and are usually broken when the cloves are separated from their skins. The allicin becomes volatile and evaporates into the air when garlic is chopped or crushed, providing the olfactory stimulation referred to as "garlic breath" among the afflicted!

Find out about the five key benefits of garlic and how you can add it to your daily diet.

1. Boosts immunity: Who knew boosting your immunity can be as simple as eating more garlic? According to one study involving 41,000 middle-aged women, those who routinely ate garlic, fruits and vegetables had a 35% lower colon cancer risk. Keep in mind that benefits came from raw and cooked garlic – not supplements.

2. May reduce the risk of heart attacks

Much research has focused on garlic’s potential in reducing the risk of heart disease and helping to manage cholesterol levels. Several studies suggest that garlic makes platelets (the cells involved in blood clotting) less likely to clump together and accumulate on artery walls; this means garlic acts like an anticoagulant and by so doing reduces the risk of heart attacks.

Garlic may also lower blood pressure through its ability to widen blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely.

3. Better Athletic Performance

Ancient cultures used garlic to enhance the performance and reduce the fatigue of people doing physical labor. Eventually, the Olympic athletes in Greece started using garlic to enhance their athletic ability. Now modern athletes (and regular folks too) are using it to reduce exercise-induced fatigue. Some studies have shown people with heart disease who took garlic oil for six weeks improved their peak heart rate by 12% and could exercise longer without feeling as tired. If you like to stay fit and love garlic, add a little more to your daily diet and see if you get an endurance boost.

4. Improved Memory

Damage from free radicals contributes to aging, but garlic contains a powerful antioxidant to help battle that—S-allyl cysteine. This antioxidant shows promise in protecting against brain damage and keeping your brain functioning better as you age. It works by increasing your brain’s blood flow thanks to garlic’s ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. This means a reduced risk of brain disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

5. Gives you better hair and skin: 

Garlic’s antioxidants and antibacterial properties can clear up your skin by killing acne-causing bacteria. One study shows rubbing raw garlic over pimples can clear them away. Be aware, though, that it could cause a burning sensation on your skin. Consult with your dermatologist first before putting acne on your skin if you are using any other products, too.

Garlic is higher in calories, carbohydrates, and proteins. Ginger has a higher antioxidant capacity. Ginger has anti-emetic actions while garlic does not. Garlic has been associated with some allergies while ginger has anti-allergic properties.    

(Source: foodstruct.com)