Health Benefits of Garlic

In Mid-December, in one of my favorite links posts I mentioned a site that listed the health benefits of garlic. After finding a new site that looked at the benefits a little more extensively, I couldn't refuse giving the cloves their own post. Garlic is a major staple in my family's kitchen back home.

When I was younger, we use to buy a clove every now and then, and as my family's love for cooking grew, we began to purchase pre-minced garlic in jars. Now it's quick to add a tablespoon to anything you're cooking up and the jar keeps the garlic fresh for a very long time.

Also, since its minced so fine, you're less likely to get notorious bad garlic breath because you won't be biting into any full cloves. Beside great flavor, the health benefits of garlic are outstanding. Ajoene, is a natural antioxidant found in garlic that protects against strokes and heart disease with its anti-clotting abilities.

Garlic has been shown to ward away colon, stomach, breast and prostate cancer, and when applied topically, can stop the spreading of skin cancer as well. Allicini, also found in the cloves promotes weight loss and lowers blood pressure. In general garlic can lower LDL cholesterol (although it can raise HDL cholesterol), and has been shown to reduce effects of exposure to asbestos. Its inflammation reducing skills make garlic beneficial to those suffering with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

It can fight germs that cause tuberculosis and a possibly kill leukemia cells. If you haven't been swayed to swear to a life of voluntary bad breath, the antiviral and antibacterial properties of garlic can scare off a cold or flu as well. While all these facts may be a lot to handle, it's apparent that adding a teaspoon or two to your meals can be rewarding.

Even if you're not particularly handy in the kitchen, spoon a bit of minced garlic into soups, spreads, pasta dishes, stirfry or cook with chicken for some additional health benefits.