This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.
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
Rajesh
I have been suffering from palpitations, occasional little pain in heart and constipation, I started eating 3-4 cloves at night and my palpitations, occasional heart pain got vanished in 3 days, constipation is little reduced, so i can say that garlic especially raw cloves are extremely useful for me.
Debra
Every morning i peel an entire head and blend it with a whole lemon. Blood pressure dropped immensely and lymph nodes no longer swell. Just the lemon and garlic though…do not dilute with anything. Tastes great/no smell UNLESS you add something/anything to it.
Lori
That’s great!
Anonymous
How much garlic we should consume in a Day?
Philip McHugh
People ! People! For goodness sake use common sense, which we of the 1950’s generation absorbed with mother’s milk. (Now, do I have to say I don’t mean that literally?)
You can try this: butter (or spread of your choice) a thin slice of bread, peel a clove of garlic and slice it thinly and place pieces on the bread and then eat. You’ll find that the ‘heat’ of the raw garlic becomes palatable. Do this if you like it every day and see what happens. Very little will happen apart from garlic breath because the benefits are subtle. Then when you see that you don’t die or get ill try a couple of slices a day. Get the picture?
What I particularly like is a sandwich of which the filling includes: one clove of garlic sliced, grated cheese, sliced tomatoes, couple of lettuce leaves with a dab of mayonnaise. Its delicious.
paul
High guys good insight here on Gallic but want to know if there is an alternative to crush it if you don’t have a Gallic crusher
Lori
I don’t have one either. I’ve just been using a knife and slicing it into small pieces.
NiRuTeCh
Shout out to everyone who posted smthing to this blog i’ve learnt a lot but i prefer taking it with water as pills but befor i do that i first chopped it to small pieces
Lori
I do the same thing 🙂
ayaan
its not harmful to health to eat regularly
tell me know
francis
is it still healthy to swallow it like pills with water thanks
Liaqat Sarfraz
Is it best to eat two cloves for Garlic early morning before breakfast and for how many days ?I often use it by cutting in pieces for completion of reaction that is Alliline into Allicin for five minutes or more.
Lori
I usually have mine with a meal now so it’s easier on my stomach.
Liaqat Sarfraz
I eat daily some time one or some time two cloves of garlic early in morning before taking my breakfast. First I cut the cloves into pieces for completion of reaction that is allilin into allicin that takes 5 minutes after that I take with fresh glass of water. Please write me back on my email address. Is is good to use continue or if not than how many days. It is good to use in morning or night. I am 64 years old and thanks for the gift of good health. Hope to hear you soon.
Lori
That’s great!
asif shohel talukder
can i use garlic to my hair for hair growth ?
Lori
I’ve read that some apply it topically to increase hair growth
Steve
I leave for work very early in the morning. Can I cut it up at night and take It in the morning?
Lori
Absolutely!
Drwax
I ate 1 clove after my main meal then another before bed. Suffer from night sweats so will see tonight if the sweats subside. The sweats are due to completely stopping strong opiate pain meds, terrible fatigue and weakness as part of the post acute withdrawal symtoms. Garlic sits right with me, my body instinctively knows its beneficial and love the taste. So here goes!
Lori
Hope you feel better really soon!
LILIAN MODISE
Garlic is good even in constipation, I use to eat it but since then I didn’t complain about it.
Lori
Interesting about it helping constipation! Thanks for sharing
Denis
I just started taking a half a teaspoon of minced garlic each morning. Will I benefit from taking it this way instead of the cloves chopped up?
And what about the 10 minute wait if using the minced garlic?
Lori
Minced garlic has the same benefits as long as it’s fresh and raw.
kiran
hi some of my friends said that eating 3 to 4 cloves of garlic every day and lemon warm water reduces wait quickly . and i have using from 2 weeks is this info is correct am i taking in correct way ??? pls help me
Lori
I haven’t read about using that combination to reduce weight myself. Let us know if you find out any more information.
Shaik Ali
After keeping overnight 2 garlic pieces soaked in a glass full of water, i drink it every morning. Will it help control my blood pressure. Please advise.
Lori
I haven’t tried soaking it overnight before. That’s an interesting idea!
Diana
Hello anyone will raw garlic boost up my libido? I’m a women.
Dar
What is the best time to eat raw garlic?
Lori
I take it with meals so that it is easier on my stomach.
Yusra
I chopped Garlic and add it to warm milk and also add some water in it. My father is a heart patient, i give this milk to him but after drinking it, he feels burning in his body and chaoking. Why this happened to him? Should he continue to drink garlic milk or should he leave?
she
I have read from somewhere that eating raw garlic is very toxic to the body and it burns the intestines? Is it true? Coz i have started taking 2 cloves of raw garlic a day. 1st after i wake up in the morning with empty stomach (1hr before breakfast) and 2nd before bedtime. TIA.
Lori
I’ve never come across any information like that before. Do you have the link you could share with us?
she
Here is the link:
http://www.ener-chi.com/eating-garlic-
is-very-toxic-for-the-body/
Dick
Hi all,Garlic every day for me.3 cloves crushed and mixed in my lettuce salad.I eat fresh lettuce every day with wild game meat,boring for many but that’s just me.Garlic is just incredible,,I notice it greatly in regards to my health.
Nice sight this one,,cheers.
Lori
So glad to hear you’ve seen an improvement in your health.
Ryan
Not sure how or why… But I honesty have not had any anxiety or panic attacks after starting raw garlic. I suffer from panic disorder /Generalized Anxiety disorder for 14 years. I’m shocked and in awe at this. Why?/ How/?. .. Did have somthing else that was causing panic attacks or somthing??. .. I feel normal again.
Anonymous
Yes, it does help with anxiety
Lori
Wow, that’s fantastic! I’m not sure of the connection, but it’s definitely possible. So glad to hear it’s helping.
Haris
Yes Raw garlic effect is great and i have taken 3 cloves or a little more as it has blood thinning power which not only ease your arteries , opening your blocades and reduces blood pressure automatically in long term.
Alexius Brooks
How much garlic should you eat a day ,a clove,a half clove,a piece ?l
Lori
Depends on the person, some eat 1 clove and some like to have several.
Paddy
I chop raw garlic and mix it with fresh lemon juice and store it in the fridge. My hubby n I have this daily with a salad or over rice.
karam
I have read that eating garlic stimulates hair growth ! What do you think of that ? Will eating a 2 cloves might help to make my hair stronger ? Did any body notice a change since begin eating garlic ?
Lori
I have heard of some that have seen hair growth from both eating garlic and applying garlic juice topically.
raja rao
I am eating 5-6 raw garlic cloves with sprouts directly twice a day.. can I eat like this
Lori
I eat about 2 to 3 cloves a day. I read somewhere that Montel Williams eats 10 cloves a day!
Qadir
Hi everybody, I see a lot of garlic users here. Have any of you been taking it for male infertility purposes? Any advice? I have read a few articles recommending garlic being beneficial to impregnate but have not found any clues here so far.
Tim
I used to eat a clove of raw garlic daily to dissuade mosquitos from biting and it worked. Then, I went many years without eating garlic since I wasn’t outdoors so much anymore. I’m middle aged now and am getting out more and so am more exposed to mosquitos again. I grew some garlic this year and started eating a clove or so raw daily for the past couple weeks and didn’t have any problems till last night. Since the cloves are tiny, I ate a couple cloves with dinner and within a halfhour I felt terrible pains and burning in my stomach and threw up my entire dinner. I couldnt sleep hardly at all all night since my stomach hurt so bad. Vomiting from eating garlic happens. It doesnt get discussed enough and isnt nearly as well understood as it should be. I had no idea that garlic could cause such severe reaction and never had problems before. And yes, I am quite certain it was the garlic.
Lori
Sorry to hear that! Hope you’re feeling better now.
pompoko
since 10 y/o im suffering in eczema and my mother didnt even know that the cause is too much sugar.. my doctor said that i got candida and those sickness that ive been experiecing like eczema and yeast infections are just a complications of candidiasis, right now im eating a bulb of raw garlic a day, chopped and a glass of water , its really amazing because my energy is boosted and eczema is gone yeast is gone, thanks of garlic.
Lori
Wow, that’s amazing it has cleared the eczema and boosted your energy. I guess I need to start eating more garlic!
lisa
seriously ???? some of “men’ replying are a vulgar………… is that really necessary ??
we are adults & GET it.. you don’t have to be vulgar…..
why is that allowed ??????????????????
Holly
I started stabbing mine up with a fork and letting it sit. I don’t have a garlic crusher, and those things are annoying to clean anyway. I sliced it up yesterday and noticed that it doesn’t seem as oily as when I fork it to death. 😀 And I haven’t found any ticks on me, but others have! Thank You, God.
As for the taste— I chew it up really good and swallow it back with tea. Its only like, 30 seconds max of intense garlic flavor out of the entire 24 hour day! And I kinda like the flavor now…
Lia
Hi there, can i take raw garlic mix with apple cider vinegar and organic raw honey ? Thanks
Lori
That sounds like a good mixture! Would you mix it with water to get it down?