Fresh garlic is one of the many foods full of health benefits that God gives to us. It has been a kitchen staple for centuries, but the health benefits of garlic go beyond simply adding flavor and show that we should eat garlic daily.
Garlic has been an important part of human diets for thousands of years. It is even a food of importance in the Bible! Even without the scientific studies we have today, people have known the beneficial effects of garlic for a very long time.
Garlic is important historically, and there are many benefits of raw garlic. We will cover 13 of these incredible benefits and how best to add it culinarily. All those delicious, garlic-filled meals will be eaten with the knowledge of all the blessings and health we are partaking in!
A Historic and Biblical Perspective on Healing
Garlic has been known for its culinary and medicinal properties for centuries. During the time of the Black Plague, large shipments were brought to Europe as an antibiotic. Having garlic saved thousands of lives!
Even Vikings would carry crates of garlic on their ships to keep the sailors strong and healthy. The vitamin C prevented scurvy, and the antibiotic properties helped against other ailments.
In winter, garlic was used by many to prevent pulmonary (lung) illnesses, and in the summer, it can keep pesky mosquitoes off‌ your food. My dad sticks fresh cloves in his food, and even the Floridian mosquitos don’t bother him!
My all-time favorite reference to garlic in the Bible is in the book of Exodus. With 600,000 men leaving Egypt and traveling towards the Promised Land, they had to rely on God for most of their food. The journey was long and difficult, and I’m sure the travelers were exhausted after traveling both day and night; I know I would be! But this made it easy for them to compare and grumble and complain, remembering the rich, easily accessible foods they ate in Egypt. They longed for foods such as cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and—that’s right!—garlic.
God’s food is always what’s best for us, and it’s no coincidence that the Israelites loved garlic. Certainly God blessed us with the nutritional value and flavor of this food for a reason!
For a deeper dive into other ways God’s food aligns with our health, check out 7 Steps to Amazing Biblical Health; a free e-book to get you started today.
Is Garlic Good for You? Garlic Nutrition Facts
Garlic is a very nutrient-dense food that has important vitamins such as manganese, vitamin C, fiber, and calcium. These nutrients are packed into one clove that’s only 4-5 calories! It’s incredible how many amazing things can be packed into one small spice. Just one clove’s effects are much greater than its size. There is also very little fat or sugar, with it having only 1g of carbohydrates and trace amounts of sugar.
Garlic contains many essential nutrients. Manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, selenium, and fiber are just a fraction of the nutrients packed into it, and some are still being discovered by hard-working scientists. We already know about these amazing nutrients, and there are still more! How amazing is that?
These nutrients boost garlic’s effects in supporting the different aspects of our health.
With all these amazing facts about garlic, it’s easy to see why there are 13 different health benefits and reasons you should eat it! So prepare those garlic-based recipes for after you read this list.
13 Reasons for Eating Garlic Daily
Some of us may use garlic in our dishes, but we may use it only as dried garlic or not think much of it, when having garlic daily can help with several health issues. Regular garlic intake can help us receive all the health benefits packed in there, and it adds delicious flavor to many common dishes.
Here are the top reasons for eating garlic daily:
- Rich in Nutrients: Packed with Manganese and Vitamin C for only 4 calories per clove.
- Antioxidant Properties: Sulfur compounds like allicin combat oxidative stress and cellular damage.
- Cardiovascular Health: Helps lower blood pressure and regulates cholesterol levels.
- Anti-Inflammatory: Inhibits inflammatory enzymes to help manage conditions like arthritis.
- Immune System Support: Enhances white blood cell response to fight colds and flu.
- Antibacterial & Antiviral: Provides a natural defense against harmful pathogens and viruses.
- Cancer Prevention: Synergizes with lemon to inhibit tumor growth and trigger cell death.
- Detoxification: Supports liver function in filtering out environmental toxins.
- Improved Digestion: Stimulates digestive enzymes for better gut health and nutrient absorption.
- Respiratory Health: Helps clear lung congestion and eases respiratory infections.
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Aids in regulating glucose levels for better metabolic health.
- Improved Bone Health: High manganese and calcium levels help prevent bone loss.
- Natural Anti-Fungal: Effectively combats fungal infections affecting the skin and nails.
Isn’t it incredible how perfectly God creates food for us? This biblical superfood helps with these things, and let’s learn how it does so!
Effects of Garlic on Heart Health and Blood Pressure
Garlic is very heart-healthy and has many positive effects on blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health! Garlic lowers blood pressure, regulates cholesterol levels, and prevents blood clot formation. It is sometimes called a natural blood thinner.
Allicin is one of the most important active organosulfur compounds found in garlic and one of the main reasons for many of the healing properties. Healthy compounds high in sulfur, such as allicin, can help to reduce high blood pressure and improve heart function to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have found that the heart health benefits from allicin are especially strong when in the form of aged garlic extract. Though it hasn’t been proven to prevent heart attacks, taking garlic supplements such as this can improve your heart health and reduce blood pressure, reducing some of the risk factors for heart attacks.
To improve your heart health and help prevent heart disease, add garlic to your regular diet and find a garlic supplement with the desired properties for an extra boost. Don’t rely on garlic supplements for all of your garlic intake, as it is best when it is as God provided it to us in its raw form.
The cardiovascular benefits can also help those with diabetes, with other research suggesting that garlic can help regulate blood sugar levels. For those with diabetes or risk factors for diabetes, this is very beneficial, and this knowledge can be used in every-day food preparation.
How Garlic Supports Detoxification and Digestion
Garlic is a strongly effective source of antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress is when there is an imbalance between “free radicals” and antioxidants. This balance can be upset or influenced by lifestyle factors such as smoking, environmental toxins, and extreme stress, and has been linked to many kinds of diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions, among others.
Luckily, garlic is very beneficial in combating this! Because of its antioxidant properties, mostly found in allicin and other active sulfur compounds, garlic can boost antioxidants and restore balance within your body, reducing the risk of these chronic diseases.
It is also very supportive of your liver and your gut microbiota. By supporting liver function, it helps your body expel harmful toxins, effectively detoxifying your body. In your gut, fresh garlic stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, promoting healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.
Add garlic to your regular diet to fight toxins and oxidative stress. Even with this diet change, it is most important to live your lifestyle in a way that supports your health and glorifies God.
Garlic for Cancer Prevention and Tumor Inhibition
While garlic has long been associated with lower cancer risks, recent research has taken this to a new level. A study published on PubMed by Dr. Talib specifically looked at the synergy between garlic and lemon extracts. The results were staggering: in a study on breast cancer, this combination inhibited tumor growth and cured 80% of the subjects by activating the immune system.
Why does adding lemon to garlic make it so much more effective? It comes down to two biological processes:
- Angiogenesis Inhibition: Tumors need blood to grow. This elixir helps “starve” the tumor by preventing the formation of new blood vessels.
- Apoptosis Induction: The compounds in garlic and lemon signal the body to eliminate these harmful cells naturally.
Support for the Immune System: Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties
One benefit that is most well-known is its support for the immune system. By stimulating certain cell types within our bodies, garlic enhances the immune system’s function, making it easier for the body to fight off infections and illnesses.
By eating more garlic regularly, sicknesses such as the flu, the common cold, and others will come less often and stay for a shorter amount of time. When you are sick, increase your garlic consumption even more to boost your immune system against infection.
Research suggests that the allicin in garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties, which can help prevent viruses and bad bacteria from entering the body. Sometimes, it can be used as a treatment to help combat existing viruses.
Some studies also suggest that garlic consumption may be associated with a lower risk of certain cancers, particularly those related to the digestive system. The natural compounds in garlic have been found to have anti-cancer properties.
Garlic’s benefits for the immune system are immense! Not only does it help to prevent diseases and viruses, but it counteracts them as well. Isn’t our God incredible?
While you’re taking some garlic to boost your immune system, try out this Immune-Boosting Smoothie Recipe or this Citrus Salad with Honey Dressing.
Anti-Inflammation and Bone Health from Garlic
Eating raw garlic can have strong anti-inflammatory effects. It helps to reduce inflammation in the body and can counter conditions such as arthritis. Those active sulfur compounds are a major contributor to anti-inflammation. While garlic helps stimulate cell types that boost the immune system, it inhibits the production of inflammatory enzymes. How incredible is that? Just another reason you should eat raw garlic daily!
Allicin’s antioxidant properties have been studied extensively for their potential benefit against chronic inflammatory diseases and the effects on the cardiovascular system, as shown in a 2013 review published in Phytotherapy Research.
The antioxidant component also protects cells from possible inflammatory damage.
There has been a lot about the sulfur compounds found in garlic, but two incredibly vital nutrients should not be overlooked for their benefits. Calcium and manganese are essential for maintaining healthy bone structure.
The potential health benefits of this are that it can help prevent bone-related conditions. A study on the Effect of Consumption of Garlic Tablet on Proteins Oxidation Biomarkers explored how the bone-strengthening quality of garlic can be favorable against bone loss in postmenopausal women or others with low estrogen.
How Garlic Fights Sickness and Fungal Infection
Garlic has important antimicrobial properties that help relieve congestion by the important reaction with various enzymes in the body. It can help to ease respiratory issues and make respiratory diseases leave more quickly.
As the last item on this list – but not the last of its many potential health benefits – garlic consumption can help your body fight off fungal infections. The antifungal properties combat many fungal infections, especially those affecting the skin and nails.
With all of these benefits, it’s clear why garlic has been used throughout the centuries for healing and for the prevention of sickness.
The Benefits of Raw Garlic: How to Maximize Healing
Now I know you’re ready to add garlic into every dish! For actually getting your daily garlic intake to partake in these health benefits, it’s important to partake of this God-given medicinal spice in a certain way for the best results. It may be tempting to just find a garlic supplement or garlic tablet online to prevent dealing with the strong taste and potential bad breath it’s widely recognized for, but don’t give up on cooking with and eating it just yet!
Though supplements may be helpful in some cases, such as a heart-healthy aged garlic extract, eating it raw provides all the health benefits when prepared the right way.
The absolute best way to have garlic is chopped, crushed, sliced, or chewed. When it is prepared in this way, the alliinase enzymes are activated and ultimately convert to form a sulfur phytonutrient called allicin, the compound vital for many of the health benefits (Linus Pauling Institute).
In a study to assess the biologic activities of raw garlic and cooked garlic, researchers found that both fresh and cooked garlic had anti-inflammatory effects; however, results published in Food and Chemical Toxicology in 2013 found that there was a lesser effect and a lower level of concentration of allicin when it was heated rather than fresh.
This doesn’t mean you should entirely avoid cooking it, but keep in mind that raw garlic has a higher level of the best compounds for your health. If your recipe calls for cooked garlic, leave it out for a few minutes before you cook it, as this allows the allicin to reach its full potential.
Start Reaping the Benefits of Garlic Today
God always provides for us, and he gives us rich food that is both beneficial and delicious, such as garlic. Rather than relying on dietary supplements, we can see how perfectly God has created food to give us everything our bodies need.
Garlic is a very versatile vegetable, which we can add to many dishes. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, try this Healthy Grilled Asparagus with Garlic recipe. Below is the recipe for the Garlic Lemon Elixir mentioned in a recent video, designed specifically to harness the anti-cancer properties found in Dr. Talib’s research.
Find at least one thing to add garlic to each day to get your daily intake. You can add it to your breakfast eggs, use it to flavor your salad dressing, or fix a luscious dish of garlic and herb chicken and rice.
As you eat garlic, remember the long history of its use and how God provided for them, just as he is providing for you. So get out there and start eating more garlic!
Garlic Lemon Elixir
Ingredients
- 3 Organic Garlic Cloves
- 3 Organic Lemons
- 2 Cups Purified Water
- 1 Tablespoon Raw Honey (optional for taste)
Instructions
- Chop the garlic and let it sit for at least 15 minutes to activate its healing compounds.
- Cut lemon (including rind!) into small or large pieces depending on what your blender can handle.
- Add lemons and garlic into blender and blend until smooth.
- Add water to blender to dilute and blend until smooth.
- Strain mixer thoroughly.
- Add honey if desired.
- Drink 3 oz daily!
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the recommended daily intake of garlic? You should eat one to two cloves of garlic a day to maximize the benefits of garlic. If you are taking blood thinners, consult your doctor before eating large quantities of garlic.
- Are there any side effects? There may be a fear of constantly having stinky breath or increased body odor when regularly having garlic; however, by keeping with the recommended dosage, you can avoid the worst of the side effects, which include indigestion, heartburn, and increased risk of bleeding. These side effects are typically only found in extreme scenarios, so know what’s best for your body and eat your garlic accordingly!
- Does garlic cause bad breath or body odor? As mentioned before, eating an excessive amount of garlic can cause bad breath or an extreme smell. This can be uncomfortable, especially because it can affect some people more than others. The smell comes from the important sulfur compounds, which are the ones providing the many health benefits of garlic. Rather than giving up these benefits, focus on regular hygiene and eating balanced meals, as well as increasing water intake.
