One of the most mentioned garlic compounds has been allicin, to which all kinds of properties attributed.
We may have sometimes heard that to prevent certain diseases (especially cardiovascular ones),
it is advisable to consume a clove of garlic daily and, if possible, on an empty stomach.
Now, why is this being said? Is the trick useful? Let’s see it below.
Garlic is a widespread food that offers a lot of gastronomically.
It helps to enhance the flavor of various preparations and gives them that exquisite taste that never hurts to enjoy at the table.
Throughout history, garlic has not only been incorporated into food recipes, but also into remedies, and it has often believed that because of its strong aroma and flavor, it has medicinal properties.
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Garlic Has Good Potential, But Is Not Powerful
Not only the aroma and taste of garlic have suggested that this food may have medicinal properties.
At various times, it considered having multiple compounds capable of preventing and curing fungal infections and cardiovascular disease.
In general, garlic attributed various properties, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antioxidant.
And for some decades, all of these have been associated with the allicin content of the food.
Garlic is a food that is part of the list of supposed natural antibiotics.
Its Antibacterial Properties
For several decades it has been commented that allicin could have antibacterial potential.
However, such an effect observed in the laboratory under specific circumstances (in vitro).
In a study published in the Eureka Magazine on Science Teaching and Dissemination in 2011.
And in vitro test carried out to analyze the antimicrobial property of this food against bacteria present on the surface of the skin.
In this study, although it concluded that garlic considered a plant antibiotic.
It must be taken into account that its properties vary depending on several factors (if it is whole, crushed, fresh, subjected to temperature, the type of fungus that has infected the skin, etc.).
It is essential to clarify that even though positive effects have observed in this and other laboratory studies, garlic is not more effective than drugs.
Therefore, it proposed as a complement to medical treatment, not as a cure for infections as such.
How Far Does Its Effectiveness Go?
In a review of the cardiovascular effects of garlic, the following clarified:
There is no consensus regarding the minimum dose require to obtain beneficial changes.
Given the loss produced during thermal and culinary preparations, inactive chemical compounds, it is advisable to take raw garlic or in specific qualifications.
It is important to note that garlic (or products derived from it) has not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as cholesterol-lowering agents.
In view of all the above, it considered that the most advisable include garlic, in moderate amounts, within a balanced diet.
The lack of consensus on the evidence found in the different studies carried out highlights the need to continue researching garlic and its properties.
At the moment, eating one clove of garlic a day has not shown to help ‘strengthen’ the immune system, cure or prevent disease, disinfect or help detoxify the body.
Garlic, by itself, is not a foolproof solution or preventative method against disease.
Therefore, consuming a clove of garlic (or four) a day, on an empty stomach to improve heart health, prevent infections or treat anemia, does not make a significant contribution.
What Is There To Keep In Mind?
There are individual components of garlic that may have the potential to provide health benefits.
There is a lack of consensus on which are the most appropriate doses and forms or presentations of these components.
Therefore, it is unknown whether consuming a clove of garlic daily can provide significant benefits.
More research needed in this regard.
One of its compounds (allicin) found to have an antibiotic effect in the case of fungal infection (Candida albicans).
Be careful, and this does not mean that garlic used in any way to treat this infection at home. But that it has potential for it and that drugs developed to improve the existing treatment.
Garlic Is A Good Option Within A Balanced Diet
It is an ingredient that is part of homemade pizza recipes.
In addition to allicin, it contains an exciting range of B vitamins and vitamin C.
Also various trace elements such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, or zinc. However, this does not make it a superfood, but a recommended option, within a healthy lifestyle.
In conclusion, garlic is a food that we can incorporate into the diet, like any other.
We can enjoy the flavor it gives to meals and considers it an ingredient. Also capable of providing us with multiple delicious recipes.
Now, considering it a superfood, a substitute for a meal or a treatment prescribed by the doctor not recommended. Since it still needs to clarify several points around its effectiveness.
