Garlic | Health Properties and Nutrition Facts
About Garlic
Scientifically known as Allium sativum and commonly known as garlic belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family or the onion family. This vegetable is renowned for its culinary and medicinal usage since time immemorial. Holding its roots in Middle Asia; It is first originated on the mountains of China to Kazakhstan. Its usage then spread from China to Japan and Korea during 2600 B.C; the old world enjoyed the benefits of garlic before it spread to the new world. There were many beliefs attached to the consumption of garlic; due to its stimulating effects that it causes after consumption Japanese people banned garlic from Buddhist traditional food, also Japanese cuisine does not appreciate flavours of garlic. The Greek myth has it that those who consumed garlic were not allowed to step in to temple premises; even though garlic was valued as food its consumers were kept distant from the Gods in the temple. Garlic is easy to grow and is grown year round in mild climates; these plants are produced asexually and usually repel pest, insects and rodents like rabbits. China is the leading producer of garlic, producing about 20 million tonnes in average taken annually. This constitutes 81% of the worlds garlic produced. California calls itself the Garlic capital of the world as most of the garlic production of United states happens in Gilroy , a place in California.
Garlic Nutrition Value
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- Garlic is also a reliable source of Selenium
- Manganese: 23% of the RDA.
- Vitamin B6: 17% of the RDA.
- Vitamin C: 15% of the RDA.
- Selenium: 6% of the RDA.
- Fiber: 1 gram.
- High dose of garlic extract (2.56 grams per day) can reduce the number of days sick with cold or flu by 61%.
Benefits of Garlic
- Helps keep bacterial and viral infections at bay.
- Healing effect on your circulatory, digestive and immunological systems.
- Help in lowering blood pressure, detoxification.
- Helps prevent the formation of clots in the body.
- Protect you against frequent colds and bouts of sore throat.
- Helps beat iron deficiency and anemia.
- Helps relieve pain caused due to a toothache.
- Help you to lose weight.
- Benefits against coronary artery diseases, infections and cancers.
Interesting Facts
It grows in bulbs which vary in size and colors which can be white, pink or purple, the actual garlic lies within the bulb and is contained inside segments known as cloves.
Garlic Contains Antioxidant
Raw garlic contains an antibiotic which can have a very powerful effect on the body. Eaten raw, it can help to fight against serious diseases such as cancer and stroke. The Garlic health benefits are outstanding!
| Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 149 Kcal | 7.5% |
| Carbohydrates | 33.06 g | 25% |
| Protein | 6.36 g | 11% |
| Total Fat | 0.5 g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g | 5.5% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 3 µg | 1% |
| Niacin | 0.700 mg | 4% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.596 mg | 12% |
| Pyridoxine | 1.235 mg | 95% |
| Riboflavin | 0.110 mg | 8% |
| Thiamin | 0.200 mg | 17% |
| Vitamin A | 9 IU | <1% |
| Vitamin C | 31.2 mg | 52% |
| Vitamin E | 0.08 mg | 0.5% |
| Vitamin K | 1.7 µg | 1.5% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 153 mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 401 mg | 8.5% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 181 mg | 18 % |
| Copper | 0.299 mg | 33% |
| Iron | 1.70 mg | 21% |
| Magnesium | 25 mg | 6% |
| Manganese | 1.672 mg | 73% |
| Phosphorus | 153 mg | 22% |
| Selenium | 14.2 µg | 26% |
| Zinc | 1.160 mg | 10.5% |
| Phyto-nutrients | ||
| Carotene-ß | 5 µg | — |
| Crypto- xanthin-ß | 0 µg | — |
| Lutein- zeaxanthin | 16 µg | — |
Garlic
This is also a magic food, owing to its nutrition value and medicinal property. 6 cloves of garlic consist of 27 calories which is remarkably low and makes its place in the diet chart of every diet concerned person. It is known to contain a compound known as allin or allicin that is responsible for smooth functioning of the cardiovascular system of our body. These enzymes separate the good cholesterol from the bad cholesterol and use the good cholesterol for the functioning of the body, it prevents in clogging pores and maintains blood pressure levels. It is considered to known as wonder food for people diagnosed with heart and blood pressure problems. It is often suggested as a must have for people with depression as it stimulates good mood in them. Researchers have proven it in their studies that has anti cancer properties that will keep cancer at bay on regular consumption. Indian believed in garlic as a medicine even before the advent of antibiotics, the bulbs of garlic were used to relieve digestive disorders and treat fever during early days.Its Central say that Studies have known that garlic can have a powerful antioxidant effect. Antioxidants help to protect the body against damaging “free radicals”.It is one of the most effect antibiotic plants available, acting on bacteria, viruses and parasites, and was used during both world wars to disinfect wounds.
How To Enjoy Garlic
The culinary use of garlic sees no geographic boundaries, the Chinese use this heavily in their cuisine as it brings out the heat and the flavours of the food. Italians use it in preparing various sauces and base for pastas and pizzas, bread an Italian accompaniment with pasta is enjoyed a lot because of its garlic flavour. In India this is pounded to add in pickles and curries. Garlic butter and garlic dips are something that is found on every supermarket shelf.
This is a wonder food that can heal the body while tasting great.
Garlic health benefits
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