Garlic, the enemy of vampires, is amazing for your body. It offers so many benefits that you probably never thought of. These health benefits of garlic will make you think again about ditching garlic. Obviously you wouldn’t want to eat garlic as it is–instead, it should be take it as a supplement and/or added to the food that you usually eat.
Take a look at these top health benefits and discover how you can help your health with a simple addition to your diet:
1. Low in calories, high in nutrients
Garlic is extremely low in calories, but really packs a punch with regards to nutrition. In fact, just one ounce of garlic contains a gram of fiber, plenty of copper, calcium, and potassium as well as 6% of your recommended daily allowance of selenium. On top of that, you’ll find 15% RDA vitamin C, 17% vitamin B6, and 23% manganese.
2. Helps combat illness
By assisting your immune system, the garlic can help you avoid the common cold and a host of other illnesses. It’s been found in studies that those who regularly consume garlic or take garlic supplements each day are 63% less likely to catch the common cold. It was also found that the length of time symptoms of the common cold linger was reduced by 70% all thanks to consuming a garlic supplement.
3. Reduces your blood pressure
Blood pressure can be a tricky thing to control these days with so many foods not having all the nutrients they naturally should. It’s therefore essential to have a balanced diet and ensure you get enough garlic which can help relieve hypertension. Studies have shown that garlic can be just as effective as medicine that are designed to reduce blood pressure. Over a period of 24 weeks, participants were given a dose of up to 1,500mg of garlic each day and it was found that their blood pressure was significantly reduced.
4. Lowers cholesterol levels
As well as reducing blood pressure, garlic can reduce strain on your heart by lowering levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. Those who already have high cholesterol levels will see the biggest difference when consuming garlic supplements, all in all, it’s a great alternative to medicine and a drastic diet change when you need to improve your cholesterol levels.
5. Helps prevent dementia
By protecting your brain against oxidative damage, garlic can ensure that individuals remain mentally healthy for many years to come. The most common brain conditions that affects elderly people and a high dose of a garlic supplement has been shown to increase the amount of antioxidant enzymes in the body. This prevents oxidation in the brain preserving cognitive function and helping people remain mentally sound for much longer.
6. Improves athletic performance
If you’re a keen runner or cyclist, this benefit may interest you. It has been found that garlic is an incredible performance-enhancing substance. It was used during the original Olympics by the ancient Greek, but we have now proven that it really does help. Studies have shown that those who consumed garlic oil daily for six weeks had an improved exercise capacity and had their heart rate peaking at a figure that was 12% higher than usual.
7. Extends your life expectancy
Want to live to a ripe old age? You will already know that a balanced diet and exercise are necessary for that, but garlic should come into the equation as well. It’s impossible to prove that garlic can make you live longer, but there are reasons that it is believed to help do exactly that. Given that garlic can help reduce blood pressure, improve muscle function, and protect your bones, it makes logical sense to believe that garlic can help extend your life. It’s a healthy food, packed with nutrients and vitamins and many other foods just can’t come close in regard to the amount of nutrition it packs into such a small food.
8. Detoxifies heavy metals
The body requires heavy metals in order to function properly, but when you consume a large amount all at once, it can be difficult for the body to break them down. It has been found that garlic can help the body detoxify these metals in the body which are found in many regular foods that you consume and help the body function as it needs to. In fact, garlic can significantly reduce the toxicity of lead.
9. Strengthens bones
Stronger bones mean you can live in comfort longer and that you can exercise and protect your muscles into old age. Ultimately, strong bones allow you to stay healthy for longer–and, in turn, so does garlic. Garlic and garlic supplements help improve your bone rigidity.
10. Grow beautiful hair with garlic
Garlic could end your hair loss problems because of its high levels of allicin, a sulfur compound similar to that found in onions, which were found to effectively treat hair loss.
11. Garlic clears acne
Garlic makes a great natural remedy to banish unsightly blemishes. Its antioxidants kill bacteria.
12. Soothe psoriasis with garlic
Since garlic has proven anti-inflammatory properties, it could be useful in relieving uncomfortable psoriasis outbreaks.
13. Control your weight with garlic
Garlic could help you control your weight, according to nutritionists, who cites a study that showed eating a garlic-rich diet reduced their weight and fat stores.
PARSLEY
Parsley, a medicinal and culinary herb that is sold year-round, may not get as much attention as superfoods or other popular natural supplements, but it is a powerful curative therapy for a range of ailments. This herb has been around for more than 2,000 years.
1. Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties
Parsley has been known to fight bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus. Parsley’s antibacterial effect is good news for skin conditions, which often require topical remedies to remove rashes and blemishes. For this reason, many manufacturers include it in soaps, detergents and hygiene products. It also promotes good dental health.
2. Improves Digestion
There are a number of gastrointestinal conditions that parsley can help to ease or cure, including constipation, indigestion, gas, nausea and bloating. When the parsley is in the digestion system, it increases bile production and the gastric juices or enzymes that aid in absorbing food and nutrients. Additionally, the high fiber content helps food pass through the digestive tract while controlling blood cholesterol, which supports the heart.
3. Reduces Urinary Tract Infections
Parsley can treat or prevent urinary tract infections. This is especially true for people who develop UTIs when they drink cranberry juice. The combination of all parts is strong enough to cure the UTI in a short amount of time. Parsley can also be used to cure gas in both the stomach and bowels.
4. Improves Ear Health
Parsley can also help when there is a lot of inner ear fluid. As this natural herb moves mucous through the body, it is also can push inner ear fluid out of the ears.
5. Acts as an Antioxidant
Parsley brings an antioxidant effect that cannot be ignored. Parsley contains myristicin, an essential oil with anti-inflammatory properties. In studies, myristicin has proven to inhibit the formation and growth of tumors.
6. Acts as a Pain Reliever
For people living with arthritis, parsley can improve health conditions. Parsley helps to relieve the joint stiffness and inflammation associated with the disease. Parsley contains both vitamin C and beta-carotene to speed up the body’s excretion of uric acid, which can increase joint stiffness and pain when it stays in the body too long.
7. Treats Osteoporosis
Bone health, particularly osteoporosis prevention, gets a powerful boost from parsley. Osteoporosis happens when calcium levels are depleted, and the body experiences a harmful increase in the amino acid known as homocysteine. Dairy products, vegetables, and parsley are the best source of calcium and help to break down homocysteine in the body.
8. Strengthens the Immune System
Parsley has nutrients like vitamin A, C, and K, as well as niacin and folate, that each act in different ways on the immune system. Vitamin A, for example, increases the effectiveness of white blood cells, or lymphocytes, which help fight infection in the body. This helps boost the overall strength of the immune system.