Studies Suggest Eating Raw Garlic Is Good For Your Health. Certainly not so much for the breath, but placed on a scale, its positive effects (many proven and others still pending further research) far outweigh the negative in the eyes of most.
But why is it necessary to eat it raw? Usually, raw foods retain their properties better, and garlic is no exception. Its best known compound is allicin, which is found only in fresh garlic. In this way, in order not to waste any of its benefits, it is considered that the smartest strategy is not to cook it.
How to eat raw garlic
Of course, there are more pleasant things than putting a raw garlic clove in your mouth. Luckily, there are other ways to do it because cooking is a highly open and creative art. You can create a new recipe yourself to adapt raw garlic to your personal preferences.
Crushing or chopping it up is an excellent starting point. This is how allicin and other health-beneficial sulfur compounds are released. It also makes it easier to combine it with other foods, something essential so that its flavor is not so strong.
After slicing or mashing it, you can make easy and tasty meals. During breakfast, you can put the raw garlic on breakfast toast accompanied by a splash of olive oil. If you prefer something more elaborate, use it as an ingredient in different sauces with which to accompany meat, fish or vegetables. For example, a green garlic and parsley sauce or a delicious guacamole.
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Garlic is low in calories, which is why is fully compatible with weight loss diets. It is also worth noting its richness in vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese.
Basically, garlic would help you live longer and better due to its beneficial effects on important risk factors such as high blood pressure and other chronic diseases. Its medicinal properties did not go unnoticed by many ancient civilizations:
Strengthens the immune system
Because it boosts the immune system (although more studies are needed on this), raw garlic can help treat and prevent common illnesses like the flu or cold.
Reduces high blood pressure
High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks or strokes. According to studies, garlic can reduce high blood pressure. In the case of black garlic, the effectiveness would be equal to that of some medications. It should be noted that to access this important benefit it is not enough to eat garlic from time to time, but the doses must be high: about four teeth a day.
Improves cholesterol levels
Those with high cholesterol can benefit from including raw garlic in their diet. This food would reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), especially in people who have shown high levels in a blood test. It should be noted that in this case, as in most, it should be combined with a proper diet and regular exercise.
Protects against cell damage
Free radicals damage the cells of the body. This problem can accelerate the aging process. Thanks to its contribution of antioxidants, garlic can reduce the risk of developing diseases such as Alzheimer's or dementia.
Fight cancer
Studies show that people who eat more garlic are less likely to develop various types of cancer. It is considered to provide substances that can prevent and fight digestive cancers, such as the esophagus, stomach or colon.
Eat raw garlic on an empty stomach
This point has generated quite a bit of controversy. There are people who claim that eating it on an empty stomach is better than doing it at another time of the day. The reason is that, as with other foods, such as lemon, its benefits would be more significant in this way. Proponents of raw garlic on an empty stomach also credit it with a beneficial action when it comes to weight loss.
Others find that raw garlic alone is of little use. They do not detract from its properties, but emphasize that the important thing is not to eat specific foods, but to eat a healthy diet. As for eating it on an empty stomach, they explain that The fact that at the time of ingestion the stomach of the person is full or empty is not very relevant, be it garlic or another food.
Knowing the different points of view, and taking into account that there are still no studies that support this habit, It is up to each one to decide whether to give the supposed miraculous effects of raw garlic on an empty stomach a chance. or, on the contrary, he joins those who consider it nonsense.