Garlic, we should 'heart' it

Garlic health benefits

If we knew all the benefits of garlic, not mentioning the bad garlic breath, ew, we would certainly heart it. But, there is a garlic breath cure. Researchers have discovered that drinking a glass of milk, would be a great garlic breath remedy. So there is really no reason now, not to eat garlic. I personally can not eat a lot of it, because I have a low blood pressure, but for everyone with high blood pressure garlic is a great alternative to normalize it. 

The smallish garlic clove can play a big role also in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks. Researchers have discovered the reason that lies behind the heart protecting benefits of the freshly crushed garlic. 

That garlic has health benefits is not a current discovery. Since ancient times, healers in China and India have used garlic as a remedy to make blood thinner. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used it to treat cervical cancer. Louis Pasteur, one of my favorite scientists of all times, reported on garlic's antibacterial and antifungal properties. The history goes on and on...

According to the current studies on the matter, researchers have concluded that fresh garlic generates hydrogen sulfide, a gas that is so short lived that it disappears when garlic is cooked or dried. Dried or processed garlic does not retain its antioxidant values in the extent of the fresh one, but it does have some.

The amount of garlic you need to get the heart-healthy benefits is about a clove a day. It is said that the best way to use garlic is to mince a clove and then mix it with yogurt, applesauce, honey, or some other carrier agent of your choice. Don't forget the glass of milk afterwards! ;) If you eat some parsley it will also get the job done. Do this and you will maintain a normal heart rate. 

On the other hand the coin has two sides. So consuming garlic may have some side effects too. Garlic might prolong bleeding, so stop taking garlic at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery. Also use garlic with caution if you have digestion problems. If you are taking any prescription medicine, you should consult with your doctor because there may be some major interactions. 

When you have time, I encourage you to read this review, or at least skim it. Garlic and Cardiovascular Disease: A Critical Review, published in the American Society for Nutrition Journal.