Properties of garlic scientifically proven

In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates, physicist and father of medicine, used to prescribe garlic to treat various diseases. Today, modern science has corroborated many of the benefits of this "superfood."

Here's a list of 10 scientifically proven benefits of garlic that you probably did not know about.

Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which has potent medicinal properties
Garlic is a plant belonging to the Allium family (onion) and is closely related to onions, shallots and leeks.

It grows in many parts of the world and is a popular ingredient in cooking because of its strong odor and delicious taste.

However, throughout history, garlic has been used primarily for its medicinal properties and beneficial to health (1).

Its use was well documented by all great civilizations, including the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, the Romans and the Chinese (2).

The entire "head" is called a garlic bulb, while each segment is called a tooth. Approximately, there are 10-20 cloves in a single garlic bulb.

Most of the effects it brings to health are due to one of the sulfur compounds that forms when a garlic clove is chopped, crushed or chewed. This compound is known as allicin and is responsible for the distinctive smell of garlic.

Allicin enters the body through the digestive tract and travels throughout the body, where it uses its potent biological effects.

In short: garlic is a plant of the onion family, cultivated for its culinary properties and healthy effects. It is rich in a sulfur compound called allicin, which is believed to be responsible for all the benefits it brings to our health.

Garlic has a high nutritional value, but contains very few calories
One serving of garlic of one ounce (28 grams) contains (3):

Manganese: 23% of the CoR.
Vitamin B6: 17% of the CDR.
Vitamin C: 15% of the CDR.
Selenium: 6% of the CoR.
Fiber: 1 gram.
Reasonable amounts of calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin B1.
Small amounts of other nutrients: 42 calories, 1.8 grams of protein and 9 grams of carbohydrates.
In short: garlic contains few calories, but is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese. In addition, it also contains small amounts of other nutrients.

Garlic contains antioxidants that can help prevent Alzheimer's and dementia

Oxidation caused by free radicals contributes to the aging process. Garlic contains antioxidants that support the mechanisms of protection of the body against oxidation (4).

High doses of garlic supplements have been shown to increase human antioxidant enzymes (5), as well as to significantly reduce oxidative stress in people with hypertension (6).

The combined effects of lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as antioxidant properties, may help prevent common brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia (7, 8).

In short: garlic contains antioxidants that protect against cell damage and aging. It can decrease the risk of suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia.

Garlic improves cholesterol levels, which can lower the risk of heart disease
Garlic can lower total cholesterol and LDL. For those with high cholesterol, garlic supplements can reduce total cholesterol and / or LDL by approximately 10-15% (9).

After analyzing LDL ("bad") cholesterol and HDL (the "good"), it appears that garlic may reduce LDL but no effective effects on HDL are observed (10).

Garlic does not decrease triglyceride levels, another known risk factor for heart disease (11).

In summary: Garlic supplements appear to reduce total cholesterol and LDL, especially in those with high cholesterol. In contrast, no changes are seen in HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.