Thursday, 6 June 2013

Sprouted Garlic for Health

Sprouted” garlic or the old garlic bulbs with bright green shoots that emerges from the cloves is known to be the most beneficial. So don’t throw these into garbage. Recent research has revealed that sprouted garlic is loaded with heart-healthy antioxidant activity. In fact the levels are more as compared to their fresher counterparts.

Sprouted garlic is beneficial owing to the technical reason that seedlings that grow into green plants create many new compounds that help in protecting the young plant against pathogens. Sprouted beans and grains are revered for their increased levels of antioxidant activity. The same goes with garlic.

Garlic sprouted for about 5 days will have higher amounts of antioxidant activity as compared to their fresher, younger counterparts.

Here are some of the most important therapeutic qualities of sprouted garlic:

Prevention against Stomach Cancer

Research suggests that consuming garlic daily helps in protection against stomach cancer. This is because garlic is rich in allicin compounds. These compounds may help prevent cancerous development in the stomach wall.

Lower Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

Sprouted garlic is capable of lowering cholesterol and blood pressure offering protection against strokes and heart disease.

No Blood Clots

Sprouted garlic plays an important role in preventing formation of blood clots. According to some studies, it has been revealed that taking garlic tablets cuts down blood pressure by anywhere between 1 and 5 per cent.

Vitamins

Did you know just one garlic clove a day will give your body its requisite supply of vitamins. Garlic is rich in A, B and C. It is also loaded with a vast array of minerals such as iodine, selenium, iron, potassium, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.

Fight off Infections

Sprouted garlic is known for its antibacterial effects that were initially discovered during the early 19th century. Research has shown that consuming garlic every day keeps one healthy.

Common Cold

As per a study published in a journal recently, it has been found that a daily garlic supplement minimized risk of catching a cold by half! The study also showed that taking garlic supplement resulted in speedier recovery from cold and infections.

The above benefits of garlic clearly indicate that one can stay healthy and fit via adding a little garlic in daily diet. This small practise will certainly go a long way in helping to protect, and boost, your health.

In case, you find the taste and smell of garlic too overpowering, mix with plain yoghurt or cottage cheese. You may even chew parsley after eating garlic. This is the best way to help neutralise your breath.

Caution: Understand that garlic can interact with anticoagulants, such as Warfarin. Hence, if you take aspirin or blood thinning medication, it is crucial to talk to you doctor before taking supplements. Also it is prohibited to take garlic supplement two weeks prior to surgery because they may interfere with blood clotting and even increase risk of bleeding.