Food tastes best with lehsun ki chutney right? But did you know it’s not only good in taste but is healthy for your health. Ok let’s begin from the start. Garlic is also known as lehsun in Hindi. The best part is it is not only used for its flavor but also for its various health benefits. But what is that one secret ingredient that is super effective for our health? The secret ingredient is nothing but Allicin. In this blog we will talk about the benefits of a clove of garlic too in detail.
Let us understand what Allicin is!
You don’t even realise that when you chop, crush or chew garlic you unknowingly make a compound called Allicin. This compound is the reason to give lehsun the smell and the many health benefits we will be talking about. The process is simple When you cut or crush a garlic clove, an enzyme called alliinase converts a sulfur-containing compound, alliin, into allicin. This transformation is important because allicin is the active ingredient responsible for garlic’s therapeutic effects. No wonder the benefits of a clove of garlic comes from here.
How Allicin Helps Manage Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. While your body needs some cholesterol, too much can increase your risk of heart disease. There are two main types of cholesterol: LD (low density lipoprotein), known as “bad” cholesterol, and HDL (high density lipoprotein), known as “good” cholesterol.
Allicin helps lower cholesterol by blocking the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which the liver uses to make cholesterol. By inhibiting this enzyme, allicin reduces the production of total cholesterol. Some studies suggest that allicin may help raise HDL cholesterol levels and remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. Additionally, allicin acts as an antioxidant, preventing LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and forming plaque in the arteries. This makes the benefits of a clove of garlic more effective.
How Allicin Helps Regulate Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and stroke. Allicin helps regulate blood pressure in several ways. First, it relaxes and dilates blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and lowering overall blood pressure. Second, allicin has antithrombotic properties. It reduces the formation of blood clots that can impede blood flow and lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Also Read: List of 14 Foods for Heart Disease: Benefits of All!
How Allicin Fights Infection?
Allicin fights and kills many types of bacteria, making it effective against common bacterial infections. It also strengthens the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells that attack and destroy pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Allicin’s antiviral properties interfere with the viral replication process, thereby shortening the duration of viral infections such as colds and flu.
Also Read: 15 Beneficials Foods for Chemotherapy Patients
How Allicin Helps Prevent Cancer?
Cancer is a complex disease that involves abnormal cell growth. Allicin helps prevent cancer in several ways: Its antioxidant properties protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage DNA and other cellular components. Allicin helps prevent this damage by neutralizing free radicals. Some studies have shown that allicin can slow the growth of cancer cells by disrupting their cell cycle. Allicin has been shown to be especially effective against cancers such as breast, colon, and prostate cancer.
Additionally, allicin supports the body’s natural detoxification process by activating liver enzymes that detoxify carcinogens (cancer-causing substances).
How to Incorporate Allicin into Your Diet?
- Chop or Crush Garlic: Remember that allicin is produced when garlic is chopped, crushed, or chewed. To encourage the production of allicin, let chopped or crushed garlic sit for 10 minutes before cooking or eating.
- Avoid high temperatures: Cooking garlic at high temperatures can destroy the allicin. To preserve the benefits of garlic, add more garlic towards the end of the cooking time or use it raw.
- Consider a supplement: If you don’t like the taste of garlic, consider an allicin supplement. Look for a supplement that lists the allicin content on the label.
- Alternatives to Garlic – Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are good for cholesterol levels and heart health, helping to lower bad cholesterol (LDL).
- Potassium, magnesium and beetroot juice: These help regulate blood pressure, and beetroot juice in particular promotes heart health.
Who should avoid garlic?
- Allergy sufferers: If you have an allergy, garlic can cause skin and respiratory problems.
- Before surgery: Garlic has a blood-thinning effect. Therefore, it should be avoided before surgery to avoid excessive bleeding.
- Blood Thinners: Consuming garlic while taking blood thinners may increase the risk of bleeding.
- Without medical advice: Avoid taking garlic supplements without consulting your doctor.
- Pregnant women: The safety of garlic supplements during pregnancy has not been adequately studied and should be avoided.
- Digestive problems: Garlic can upset the stomach, causing pain, bloating, or diarrhea, and may increase acidity in those with gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Sum up,
Consuming a clove of garlic daily is extremely beneficial for your health. Allicin, the main component of garlic, helps regulate cholesterol levels, control blood pressure, fight infections, and even helps prevent certain types of cancer. To get the most out of garlic, chop or crush it before cooking with it and let it rest for a while. If you are taking medications or have any health concerns, be aware of side effects and consult your doctor. Incorporate the benefits of a clove of garlic into your daily diet.
