For thousands of years, they believed garlic to have medicinal properties. Early men of medicine such as Hippocrates, Pliny and Aristotle encouraged several therapeutic uses for this botanical.

We generally use it as a flavouring ingredient in recipes rather than as the key ingredient itself. An exception to this is roasted garlic, which can be eaten as a spread or condiment.

As you may know, before it became a prominent ingredient, they used it for its invaluable properties for thousands of years to both treat and prevent illness. Here are proven 10 health benefits of garlic that are supported by human research studies.

Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which has potent medicinal properties. It is a plant in the onion family, grown for its cooking properties and health effects. It is high in a sulphur compound which is believed to bring most of the health benefits.

#2. Highly Nutritious, Low On Calories

This lily family plant is highly nutritious but has very few calories. It is low in calories and very rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese. It also contains trace amounts of various other nutrients.

#3. Combats Sickness

It can combat sickness, including the common cold. Garlic supplementation helps to prevent and reduce the severity of common illnesses like the flu and common cold.

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#4. Can Reduce Blood Pressure

The active compounds in garlic can reduce blood pressure. High doses of garlic appear to improve the blood pressure of those with known high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). Sometimes, supplementation can be as effective as regular medications.

#5. Improves Cholesterol Levels

It improves cholesterol levels, which may lower the risk of heart disease. Garlic supplementation seems to reduce total and LDL cholesterol, particularly in those who have high cholesterol. HDL cholesterol and triglycerides do not seem to be affected.

#6. Protects Against Cell Damage

This flowering plant contains antioxidants that may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Garlic contains antioxidants that protect against cell damage and ageing. It may reduce the risk of some diseases.

#7. Helps To Live Longer

Garlic may help you live longer. It has known beneficial effects on common causes of chronic disease, so it makes perfect sense that it could help you live longer. Some researchers in China have called it the key to a longevity.

#8. Performance Enhancer

We can improve athletic performance with garlic supplementation. This vegetable was one of the earliest 'performance enhancing' substances.

It was traditionally used in ancient cultures to reduce fatigue and enhance the work capacity of labourers. It can improve physical performance in lab animals and people with heart disease. However, benefits in healthy people are not yet conclusive.

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#9. Protects Against Organ Damage

Eating garlic can help detoxify heavy metals in the body. At high doses, it has shown the sulphur compounds in it to protect against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity. Garlic was shown to significantly reduce lead toxicity and related symptoms in one study.

#10. Improves Bone Health

Finally, garlic may improve bone health. It appears to have some benefits for bone health by increasing oestrogen levels in females, but more human studies are needed.

However, keep in mind that there are some downsides to garlic, such as the bad breath. There are also some people allergic to it. If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medications, then talk to your doctor before increasing your garlic consumption.