Garlic has many medicinal healing properties. To get the maximum healing with garlic to help your arteries, heart, blood pressure, immune system, glucose, and other organs, you must first allow garlic to become activated.
Garlic. Roasted in olive oil, it melts in your mouth like butter. Chopped and raw, it tastes pungent. In oil form, it soothes sore muscles.
Garlic gets its pungent smell from an organic sulfur compound called allicin. This compound also makes garlic a healthy addition to your diet. The enzymes from the allicin need some time to start working, so let your garlic sit 10-15 minutes after you mince, crush or chop it.
If you choose to cook your garlic, note that heating up the garlic changes its pH balance. As a result, higher temperatures destroy the great health benefits of allicin. In order to keep the allicin intact, don’t heat the garlic above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). Always add garlic to your recipes when you’re almost done cooking.
Is it better to eat raw or cooked garlic?
The studies linking garlic to improved immunity showed benefits came from raw and cooked garlic — not supplements.
In addition to being delicious, garlic offers significant health benefits no matter if you use it raw or cooked!
Immunity
According to one study, those who routinely ate garlic, fruits and vegetables had a 35% lower colon cancer risk.
Anti-inflammatory
Study shows that garlic oil works as an anti-inflammatory. If you have sore and inflamed joints or muscles, rub them with garlic oil. The Arthritis Foundation even recommends it to help prevent cartilage damage from arthritis.
Heart Health
Study shows that garlic can have a positive impact on your arteries and blood pressure.
Other studies show that red blood cells turn the sulfur in garlic into hydrogen sulfide gas. That expands your blood vessels, making it easier to regulate blood pressure.
Skin Health
Garlic’s antibacterial properties and antioxidants can clear up your skin by killing acne-causing bacteria.
Study shows rubbing raw garlic over pimples can clear them away.
Be aware, though, that garlic could cause a burning sensation on your skin. Consult your dermatologist first.
Food Protection
Antibacterial properties in fresh garlic can kill the bacteria that lead to food poisoning, including Salmonella and E.coli.
Treatment for Athlete’s Foot
Garlic also fights fungus. If you have athlete’s foot, soak your feet in garlic water or rub raw garlic on your feet to attack the itch-causing fungus.