Garlic not only adds flavor to your food but also has many health benefits. A few flakes of garlic change the taste and nutritional benefits of your food. I put garlic into the hot oil before putting onions into it for caramelizing. Here are a few benefits of garlic that I have known from people and through internet.

Colds

From ages it is believed and established that garlic has the power to cure cold. You might think as to how garlic flakes cure common cold. Well, it has been seen that garlic cloves improve the immune system. This gives a boost to the natural defense system . Regular consumption of garlic improves the immune system and protects the body from viral infections

Cancer

As I mentioned earlier, garlic improves the immune system therefore a healthy immune system has the ability to fight cancer. Scientific researches on humans and animals have determined that garlic has the capability to reduce the formation of cancerous cells. Garlic restricts cancer causing compounds from forming, and slow the growth of tumor cells. Garlic is especially helpful in blocking oesophagal, breast, stomach, prostate and bladder cancer. Researches have shown that compounds in garlic also have the ability to reduce the size of tumor by half.

Heart Disease

Heart diseases are caused by many factors but the many benefits of garlic also have therapeutic values too. High level of cholesterol causes heart diseases and garlic has a quality to lower the cholesterol level. Age, poor diet, smoking and some environmental factors cause the heart’s blood vessel, aorta, to stiffen. This makes it difficult for the blood vessel to maintain the blood pressure. Studies show that consumption of garlic helps to keep the blood vessel flexible and hence keeps heart diseases away.

Hypertension

Garlic has the ability to control your blood pressure by thinning the blood. It also prevents forming of clots. Researches show that people who consume garlic have fewer incidences of hypertension and heart disease.

Infection

Garlic is said to have anti bacterial properties. It also has antiviral and antifungal abilities. It is effective against intestinal parasites, recurrent yeast infections and the growth of candida albicans is slowed by garlic. Garlic can help by stimulating T-cells that help fight infection.

Garlic is just an aid to antibiotics in fighting infections, but it is not enough to replace them. Moreover, your doctor needs to know if you plan to begin supplementing garlic. If you are under medication for high blood pressure or are scheduled for surgery, garlic intake can affect due to its blood thinning and anticoagulative properties, so it is a must to consult your physician before making any changes in your diet.