The 6 Extraordinary Benefits of Garlic for Our Health
Its taste is sometimes off-putting, as is its odorous imprint in the mouth… However, this legendary health food should have a king’s place on our plate.
How many calories in garlic?
Garlic provides an average of 131 calories per 100 grams . It is composed of 7.9% proteins, 4.7% fibers, 0.47% fats (i.e. almost none) and 21.5% carbohydrates, the rest of its weight being represented by water ( approximately 65% water).
Knowing that a clove of garlic weighs approximately 7 to 12 grams, we might as well tell you that the calories ingested are very low . You can therefore use it to enhance your dishes without any worries, even if you are careful about your weight!
1 – IT REDUCES BAD CHOLESTEROL
Administered over the long term, garlic would improve hyperlipidemia (= excessively high blood lipid levels). Indeed, we see that its consumption leads to an improvement in HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and a reduction in LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol).
2 – AGAINST EAR INFECTIONS
A popular remedy that has been around for centuries, garlic kills the bacteria that causes ear infections . Crush a clove of garlic, and place it in a teaspoon of hot olive oil for five minutes . Drain, let cool and pour a few drops into the ear canal . You can also purchase garlic oil from health food stores .
3 – IT IS A PILLAR OF ANTI-CANCER FOODS
Thanks to its exceptional content of sulfur compounds, garlic is a cleaner which above all seems to neutralize the carcinogenic effects of toxic substances.
To date, several epidemiological studies indicate a positive effect of garlic consumption on the prevention of certain cancers: a 30% reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer and around 50% in the risk of stomach cancer in cases of high garlic consumption (18 g of raw and cooked garlic per week, or approximately 6 cloves). Other research has shown a positive impact on laryngeal, prostate and breast cancers .
4 – PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
This superfood also helps purify the blood by eliminating bad cholesterol. It also makes the blood much more fluid, thus promoting better blood circulation.
5 – AN EFFECTIVE SLIMMING ALLY
Garlic has unsuspected slimming properties. It is a very low calorie food. It contains natural antioxidants that facilitate weight loss.
6 – AN EXCELLENT REMEDY FOR COUGH AND COLDS
This spice is a very effective natural solution for treating coughs and colds. Rich in vitamins, it is also a natural antibiotic that blocks bacterial and viral infections.