Emma Miller
In folk medicine, garlic is considered an effective tool for strengthening the immune system during a surge in viral infections, but the medicinal properties of this plant are controversial among doctors.
Experts say that consuming it in small quantities is good for health in any case.
What are the benefits of garlic?
Garlic has the ability to lower blood pressure and minimize the burden on the heart. This vegetable can also lower “bad” cholesterol, which provokes the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Also, the components of the active substance allicin react with red blood cells to form hydrogen sulfide.
Garlic also contains phytoncides – substances secreted by plants. They inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses, fungi. Phytoncides not only kill protozoa but also stimulate the growth of other microorganisms that are antagonists to harmful forms. This also helps fight parasites in the intestines.
Garlic has antioxidant properties. The substance begins to form after some time when the plant cells are mechanically damaged – under pressure when garlic is cut.
Therefore, in order to get the most out of this plant, you need to chop the clove and leave it to lie down for 10-15 minutes. During this time, allicin will have time to form, and garlic can be used for cooking.
What is the harm of garlic?
Garlic is a rather aggressive product. You can’t eat a lot of garlic, especially on an empty stomach. It causes an active secretion of gastric juice, and without food, it is harmful to the mucous membrane.
Who shouldn’t eat garlic?
Nutritionist Anna Ivashkevich says that garlic can cause serious harm to some diseases.
“Garlic is contraindicated for people with open stomach ulcers. It should also not be eaten by people with gastritis, which is not in remission but in the active stage, and raw garlic is also contraindicated. If a person with such a problem still eats garlic, they will experience pain and discomfort in the stomach,” said Ivashkevich.
The expert does not advise people who do not have gastrointestinal diseases to abuse garlic.
“If there are no stomach or intestinal problems, no discomfort from eating garlic, then you can eat it. It will be a couple of cloves a day. But if there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract, even this amount is a lot,” the expert explained.
