Top 10 Health Benefits of Garlic: Top 10 Medicinal Qualities and Interesting Facts About Garlic. I've Already Started To Eat One Raw Garlic Clove Per Day. :)

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Top 10 Health Benefits of Garlic

written by Timothy Paulger

Where would we be without the wonderful garlic clove? Nothing smells better in the kitchen than a few cloves of garlic simmering in some olive oil, waiting to turn a common dish into an exquisite, savory meal. The only smell that comes close to the wonderful scent of garlic is bacon!

Garlic has the amazing ability to transform ordinarily foods into extraordinary meals; it can be added to literally thousands of dishes, and can even be cooked and eaten as an appetizer.

Medicinal Qualities of Garlic:

Garlic isn't only good for its flavor though; for many years throughout history, garlic has been thought of as a healthy medicinal food. Our ancestors were aware of the medicinal properties of garlic that scientist are just now beginning to prove. The Chinese have been using garlic for over 3,000 years, and due to garlic's ability to increase blood circulation, it is often considered a type of aphrodisiac. The monks of Tibet were not allowed to enter the monasteries if they had consumed garlic because of its ability to arouse feelings of passion.

Garlic is a strong antioxidant that's excellent for cardiovascular health. It has shown to suppress the growth of tumors, reduce bad cholesterol, and it is a natural blood-thinning agent.

Ten Health Benefits of Garlic:

1. Garlic has been proven to reduce pain.
2. Garlic helps prevent blood clots.
3. Garlic relieves symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis.
4. Garlic is an excellent antibiotic.
5. Garlic shrinks tumors.
6. Garlic helps prevent heart attacks.
7. Garlic helps prevent heart disease.
8. Garlic lowers blood pressure.
9. Garlic is a powerful antioxidant.
10. Garlic kills a variety of microbes, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Did you know that there are over 300 different varieties of garlic? American garlic is one of the most popular types. American garlic is the type that we're all familiar with. It has a strong flavor and papery-white skin, and it's absolutely delicious. Following close behind in popularity are the Mexican garlic and the Italian garlic. These two types are very similar in color and have Pinkish to purple colored skins.

Facts about Garlic:

1. Garlic scientific name is Allium Sativum.
2. Garlic is actually a member of the lily (liliaceae) family.
3. Garlic is a cousin to Leeks, Onions, shallots, and chives.
4. Garlic is a root.
5. Nickname is The Stinking Rose.
6. Calorie content-Garlic contains about 4 calories per clove depending on the size.

To gain the most health benefits from garlic, it's important that you eat it in its raw state; cooking will lower its potency. Additionally, the pre-diced garlic that is pre-packaged and sold in stores has been derived of potency, and it has already lost a significant amount of its medicinal qualities.

Storage:

Garlic is best stored in a cool, dry space with plenty of air circulation. Be careful not to damage cloves as you remove individual cloves from the bunch.