If aroma intensity equals health benefits, garlic is a surefire hit. It’s flavorful, valuable and versatile.
Looking to boost your heart health? Keep mosquitoes away?
It turns out, garlic can accomplish an impressive amount of things. Read on for everything you’ve ever wanted to know about garlic.
Surprising Health Benefits of Garlic
1Many of garlic’s benefits come from the chemical allicin. Allicin is released when garlic is chopped, bruised or chewed.
2Antioxidants keep your immune system in check, helping to prevent colds.
3Garlic helps with support healthy blood pressure already in normal range, healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal range and heart health.
4Promote health around your lips by rubbing a slice of garlic on the area.
5Support healthy weight management by eating a diet rich in garlic.
6Anti-fungal properties can help rid athlete’s foot by soaking feet in garlic water.
7Polysulfides in garlic are known to support healthy blood pressure levels already within the normal range.
8It can also help calm and soothe skin. Rub the area with a slice of garlic.
9Garlic’s antioxidants kill bacteria, which can help to support skin health.
10Anti-inflammatory traits can help fight autoimmune disease.
11Research shows that consuming garlic is associated with supporting cellular health.
12Promote healthy circulation.
13For a calming, soothing drink, steep raw, minced garlic in hot water, strain and drink as tea. Add ginger, honey or sugar to make it tastier.
14High levels of iodine make garlic great for supporting thyroid health.
Inventive Ways You Didn't Know You Could Use Garlic
15Remove a splinter by placing a slice of garlic over the area and covering with a bandage.
16Prevent food poisoning.
17Use garlic as fish bait. Certain species of fish are attracted to the scent.
18Protect your garden by making a natural pesticide out of garlic, mineral oil, water and liquid soap. Critters and pests don’t like garlic!
19Keeping garlic nearby is said to ward off mosquitoes… and vampires!
20High allicin levels in garlic have been said to support hair health. Massage the scalp with garlic oil.
21Strengthen fingernails: Add chopped fresh garlic to a bottle of clear nail polish, let it sit for 7 to 10 days, then use on nails.
22Rub garlic oil around the outside of the ear.
23Fill small cracks in glass by rubbing sticky garlic juice and wiping away the excess.
24Mix chopped garlic with vinegar and lemon juice and use as a disinfectant or cleaner.
25Cure your rose plant from aphid attacks by spritzing the leaves with a crushed garlic/water mix.
Tips & Fun Facts You Never Knew About Garlic
26Garlic is a member of the Lily family, and is closely related to onions, shallots, leeks and chives.
27Garlic was given to slaves who built the pyramids to enhance endurance & strength.
28Greek & Roman soldiers ate garlic before war.
29Garlic is most nutritious if you let it sit for 5-10 minutes before heating it. This gives the allicin a chance to get working.
30Garlic contains only 4 calories per clove.
31Add freshly chopped garlic near the end of your recipe. Heating it too much can reduce nutrients.
32April 19 is National Garlic Day.
33Garlic is a good source of manganese and vitamin B6. It also includes vitamin C and copper, selenium, phosphorus, vitamin B1 and calcium.
34China produces the most garlic worldwide.
35Garlic doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
36There are 300 varieties of garlic grown worldwide.
37Botulism (a form of bacterial spores) can grow in homemade garlic oil. Prevent this by using it right away and making it fresh each time.
38Want to peel an entire head of garlic? Place it between two same-sized bowls or cups, and shake vigorously for roughly 30 seconds or until all cloves come loose from peels.
39Alliumphobia is the extraordinary fear of garlic.
40Common solutions to get rid of garlic breath include drinking water, eating mint leaves or using a salt or lemon rinse.
Have another garlic tip or a recipe to share? Leave it in the comments!
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