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Garlic is a vegetable and is a species of the onion genus. Garlic is often used to add flavor to recipes and dishes. However, garlic can also be used as a medicine to prevent or treat a wide range of aliments and diseases.
Garlic cloves contain many vital nutrients including vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes. Garlic contains sulfur compounds from the amino acid allicin, which is most noted for producing garlic’s powerful odor.
Why you should eat garlic raw:
When the garlic is cooked this prohibits the garlic’s ability to make allicin. Allicin is one of the primary components of garlic that gives it its health benefits, including the ability to prevent cancer. Allicin is produced in garlic when the garlic enzyme alliinase is cut or chewed. However, when the garlic is cooked alliinase is then inactivated which causes allicin to not be produced.
Before consuming the garlic it is best to allow the cut or crushed garlic to be exposed to the air for at least 5 to 10 minutes in order for the compounds to become fully activated.
How do you incorporate garlic into your daily diet?
There’s two options:
1. Add the garlic to your meal or add it to a green juice or smoothie.
2. Cut a clove of garlic into small pieces and swallow the small pieces one at a time. (with a meal)
10 Reasons Why you should eat garlic daily:
1. Garlic Contains a High Amount of Antioxidants – The antioxidants destroy free radicals and reduce overall oxidative stress. Free radicals can damage DNA and cell membranes. High levels of oxidative stress have been associated with many diseases and conditions. Antioxidants are also beneficial for preventing types of cancer.
2. Garlic Lowers Your Cholesterol– A study found that the consumption of garlic reduced cholesterol by 9 to 12 percent. Reductions were noted in LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
3. Garlic is Antibacterial– Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic. It is able to eliminate harmful bacteria but does not kill off healthy bacteria as chemical antibiotics do.
4. Garlic is Anti-fungal– Garlic’s Allicin is also responsible for destroying fungi. Many use garlic as a means of eliminating fungal infections.
5. Garlic Thins the Blood– Garlic consumption has been shown to thin the blood which can aid in preventing heart disease, the formation of blood clots, heart attacks and stroke.
6. Garlic Boosts Your Immune System– Garlic has strong antiviral properties. To many in Russia, garlic was known as “Russian Penicillin” due to its abilities to effectively treat infections. A study found that garlic is effective at preventing and treating the common cold. It found that those who consumed garlic had significantly fewer colds and the length of their cold was shortened compared to those who did not eat garlic.
7. Garlic Lowers Risk of Atherosclerosis: Studies suggest that garlic may prevent blood clots and destroy plaque which contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
8. Garlic Lowers Your Blood Pressure- Garlic has been used in China for many years as blood pressure medication. Additionally, the Japanese government officially recognized garlic as a blood-pressure depressor.
9. Garlic Helps Your Joints– A study found that those who eat high amounts of garlic were less likely to have osteoarthritis.
10.Garlic Prevents Cancer- Increased intake of garlic has been found to be associated with the reduced risk of certain cancers. This includes cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast.
Sources:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/garlic-and-cancer-prevention
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-garlic.html
Hi,
Is anyone experiencing same problem like me constipation while taking 2 raw gloves daily?
I heard that taking raw garlic bad for liver and gall. Is that true?
Thanks
Just started eating garlic the other day to repel wood ticks. 😀 All the other benefits, ah don’t mind atall. The first time, I chomped a pretty big clove a little too long- owww!! My tongue killed.
So I quickly chomp mine, give it one extra chomp once I feel like its starting to burn my mouth- just to get it mashed up. Then I swallow it back with tea (which has sugar and milk added to it). Just like with oregano oil- 2 or 3 drops underneath the tongue and swallow it back with black tea. Is it okay to have garlic with tea? Or am I ruining the effects? Or maybe I should swallow it back with a big gulp of green tea instead? I’ll be mashing it up now, have read some comments which talk about letting it sit a little.
Thanks!
Would love to hear how well it’s working to repel ticks. You can have it with tea. I’ve been having mine with meals so it’s easier on my stomach.
Hi I have Barrett esophagus every time I eat garlic is so bad I burp is something that I can do I love onion too some thing any help please?
You may find this article helpful: http://fearlesseating.net/why-acid-reflux/
hi lori … can i drink 1/2 – 1 liter of water after eating raw garlic early morning with empty stomach …
I take mine with water, but I’ve switched to having it with meals so it doesn’t upset my stomach.
I really find swallowing garlic,first thing in the morning on empty stomach very useful it decompose the fats in the system now and smarter and healthier, Thanks to garlic.
Hi Lori,
I’m 66 ,male ,I’m taking 6 cloves of garlic,chop it thin and drink with one lemon in a glass of water in empty stomach daily.I take my meal 3 hours after drinking.can I increase my dose??No side effects??Better to increase or no??Which way is better,crushing,chopping or swallow full.Eat after every meal or in empty stomach?
Please reply by e.mail.,,,,,,,,Thankyou.
Find your answers here — http://rajanjolly.hubpages.com/hub/Amazing-Garlic-Facts-And-Cures 🙂
Garlic works wonders even on candida . I have had candida for 10 years now and recently when I was introduced to garlic which has done a great job on my health. Any recommendations on eggs with garlic in connection with candida..
I find that after the garlic is crushed and sits for 10 minutes the easiest way to take it is on a tablespoon covered in raw manuka honey
oh yhaaa let me try it then. thanx Lori
I’ve been crushing a couple of cloves first thing in the morning and mixing them with the juice of half a lime.
Now I’m wondering if this is ok or if the lime will decrease any of garlic properties.
Please advise 🙂
I don’t think it would decrease the effectiveness.
its GREAT FOR EVERYTHING….stomach ache, high blood pressure , its a boss….don’t knock it till you’ve put it to the test. the more it burns the more “issues” is in the body…it does not kill…only the negatives and I mean that…don’t be afraid to use this great natural remedy ….it works got a great super tonic as well that keeps EVERYTHING away and this is just one of the ingredients.
Garlic is good used in a nutri-bullet with green tea with other fruits and veggies. I drink this daily for three years. Lolo
Garlic is such a wonder,i had night sweats and would wake up in the night soaked and dripping.i started with 2 cloves before bed i must say,no night sweats anymore.
Plus if u are worried about the breath,try taking two cloves before bed ,in the morning after brushing,you should be fine.
Hi. My friend has a pimple on her chest and I heard that swallowing garlic, or crushing it directly on the ailment will help.. Any thoughts? Big date for her tonight, we gotta do something folks
I’ve tried applying garlic to breakouts before and didn’t seem to help for me but, may be worth a try. I’ve found baking soda to be the most helpful.
Can I take honey with the raw garlic? Will I get the same benefits?
Honey is great! I use raw honey as it contains the most nutrients compared to most store bought honey which is highly processed.
Love this post!
Regarding honey:
Only raw unfiltered , organic honey is true honey- everything else is heated and becomes a mysterious honey byproduct and its not regulated by the fDA-
It has to be truly raw-
Just an FYI
I adore garlic but judging by the comments and tips- I’ve been eatting and cooking it incorrectly- from now on I will let it rest for 10 minutes!
I once did a garlic cleanse where I only ate veggies and fruit and on my veggies and potatoes- I spread roasted garlic and olive oil.
I felt so great and looked marvelous but oh boy… Apparently I reeked! When I stoped my cleanse people commented on how I no longer stank it up at the office – I had no idea. I’m a perfumery lady that smells like heaven so this was shocking! LOL!
I will have to return to my garlic cleanse because I loved it – I believe I was eating 2-4 heads of garlic a day.
I’m addicted to the taste.
Excited to start a raw garlic regimen!
I shall keep you posted
Great info! Look forward to hearing your progress.
The garlic I have is pickled. Will it still work the same?
Thanks,
Gretchen
I have also fermented mine…..I have also gone to this website, which has helped me for years to overcome…..whatever ails me. http://www.antidoteforall.com
Pickled garlic has many of the same benefits as it is not heated at hot temperatures, which can decrease the potency.
Please cite your sources. I would love to read the studies you speak of.
Garlic is powerful. One can not mention all its healthy benefits, because they are numerous. May all of us Jehovah God for this wonderful gift.
It really is fantastic!
Thank you for all the insight. What would be the most effective dose and how often? Should I take Garlic every day of the year or is it just effective with intervals (example take it 7 days and rest 7 days)
I try to have garlic at least 3 times a week, about a clove a day and during the winter or if I feel a cold coming on, I take a clove every day.
Thanks Lori, I started taking it yesterday and at the same time go gluten free.
Awesome!
I do’nt know what to think of all the posts here. I’ve found on the website that can be damaging to intestines, stomach and even brains. lot of raw garlic to eat I regularly ate raw garlic to 3 cloves per day so each week than a week or two and then back not so much. Now I’m starting to make me really care if it’s really harmless, sometimes after eating garlic I feel burning sensation in my stomach. Has anyone also so experiences?
Raw garlic can be quite powerful, are you eating it with a meal?
Hi,
I have been chewing garlic for the past 8 years and its very helpful..never think of seeing doctor.
It is really good to be chewing garlic raw.
Hi Lori!
I love garlic but I never eat raw garlic and I am willing to give it a try.
Thanks a lot.
Hi Lorna, after you try it a few times, it gets easier. 🙂
Hello Lori, I have read about eating garlic raw, WOW never knew you could do that . Any way to you and all reader’s I put my cloves, after peeling of course into my small food processor. Works great!!!! Thank you so much for all the advice on eating it RAW. Be Blessd
Hi lori..
Ive started consuming raw garlic to fight my fungal infections and its been 3 days now.
It really is amazing…it reduces the ithiness alot and the infections already start thinning..
I take 2 cloves 3 times a day
Glad to hear you’ve had good results with it!
Hi Lori
Its me again. I commented here a year ago and usually once every few months I check comments.
Ive been consuming 2-3 cloves of garlic almost everyday for the past year.
Let me share a quick story why this really really works:
At the start of the year , in January, everybody in my family and at school got sick.
First my little brother, then my father. I told my mom that if you dont take action now, i.e eat garlic, then you will be the next one but she didnt take my advice so she got sick 2 days later too :).
Then my grandma&grandpa and the rest of the family got the flu and they were like you will get sick too, better watch out. I was like: I wont get sick, trust me. And I didnt get the slightest headache or whatever :).
I have been taking cold showers everyday for over 400 days aswell and along with eating garlic this is enough to protect you from getting sick. Sometimes in the winter I used to walk around shirtless while it was snowing and my grandma,dad and mom thought I was crazy and they kept telling me you will get sick etc. Havent been sick since last year May.
Lately Ive been experimenting with purple garlic and its quite more powerful than regular garlic.
Garlic gives me alot of energy in my workouts aswell. So much benefits to list I am probably not even aware of and I am sure its the same with many of you.
I just turned 18 years old and I will continue to be healthy,strong and unique. No matter how much other people around me,society keep pushing people to eat garbage thats not even food, I will try my best to keep eating as healthy as possible and achieve my goals. Someone here commented to me and said that she was proud of me that at 17 years old I had passion for healthy eating. That commented gave me some chills because I dont get such positive comments from the people around me. Well I understand that, its probably because they never felt how it feels to be energetic.
I really like your webiste and I check it every few months to see if there is something interesting. Some of your facebook updates are very tasty (potato rings or something).
This is a very long comment lol.Thank you so much Lori
Wow..nice experience..u sure are an intelligent young man
Ur uniqueness will save u the trip to doctor for a long long time
Wow, that’s fantastic that you were able to avoid catching it! Sounds like you really found what works for you. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Tolunay,
Keep up the good work! You will reap the benefits! You should feel proud of yourself for eating healthy and taking care of yourself!
My environment doesnt support me though which in turn causes me to feel lonely at times..
But I dont give a damn… I tried to offer people help, but what do you do with people who dont want to improve ? You leave them alone. Cant change them.
My 14 year old brother is interested so atleast I have someone at home that I can help and enjoy eating/living healthy. Last my aunt died because of cancer. Last week my nephew got diagnosed with testicle cancer. Well I told them that I dont give a damn. All that talking, hoping wont do shit.
You want results right? You want to heal your body right? That does not happen with only talking.
I feel for those people but then again they are the ones who lower my mood levels.
If they dont want to learn something, what else can I do? Leave them alone.
When they see me healthy, wealthy and ripped in a few years maybe they will start listening… *sigh*
And thanks for the kind words! I am doing the best I can with what I have available right now.
Sleep, a postive mindset and meditation are free. Along with the best nutrition you can afford, you will be healthier than 90% of society.
ThanksTolunay, you inspired me with your testimony
stay healthy
Garlic is a booster of my overall health.
I slice and swallow 4-5 cloves every night
or i chew with pineapple or water melon and
makes me strong and fit for the day.
Awesome! It has really helped keep me healthy through the winter.
Hi, I started chewing raw garlic this morning,as I chewed it I nearly threw up but I managed to swallow it with water and in less than ten minutes my stomach was rumbling and trust me guys I had a very free bowel,but for the rest of the day today my breath was a in bad shape. I just had one clove again this night but the bad breath is I think unbearable…can u advice on what to do about the breath thing? Thanks! I love your website though.
Thanks! I cut the cloves into small pieces and swallow them like a vitamin, drinking a glass of water. This way it doesn’t affect my breath. I only do it with meals because garlic is quite powerful.
It’s garlic work for STDs?
I’m just 31 years old and have a high BP (150/90) and taking BP medication for 3 months now. I would like to eat raw garlic to lower my blood pressure. Is it safe eating raw garlic (let’s say 2 cloves daily) while taking BP medication. Please advise. Thank you.
Garlic seems to help ease off menstrual pains! I’ve noticed my periods flow free and painless whenever I eat a clove of garlic, I chew it with water only at night.
That’s great! I didn’t know it could help with menstrual pains.
I find the best way of taking it is by cutting the clove in to three or four pieces (depending on the size of the clove) and swallowing it with water, just like taking any other tablets.
That’s what I do too!