How garlic is useful for the human body - benefits and harms, vitamins, properties and composition of garlic.

A little history

In Ancient Rome, garlic was a mandatory addition to the food of legionnaires. Gladiators ate it several times a day. This was done because the Romans were confident that garlic created contempt for death and added courage. In addition, it heals all diseases and gives strength.

Interesting facts about garlic:

• The king of spices, that’s what Pythagoras called this plant;
• Europeans were introduced to garlic 5,000 years ago;
• Our ancestors used garlands of dried garlic to ward off evil spirits from the house. This tradition has survived to this day;
• In ancient times, garlic and opium were used instead of anesthesia during operations.

Composition of garlic

The answer to the question of how garlic is useful for the human body is that garlic contains a whole treasure trove!

• Nutrients: Fats, proteins, carbohydrates, ascorbic acid, ash;
• Microelements: Potassium, sodium, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc and iodine;
• Vitamins: C, B, D, P;
• Compounds: allixin, allicin, euchoene, diallyl trisulfide, pectins.

In addition, garlic contains phytoncides, sulfur compounds and essential oil.

Benefits of garlic

The beneficial properties of garlic have been successfully used to treat many diseases at all times. Nowadays, this useful plant is used both in folk medicine and for treatment with traditional methods.

Beneficial features:

• Antibacterial;
• Treatment of viral diseases;
• Strengthening immunity;
• Fighting cancer;
• Lowering cholesterol;
• Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases;
• Increased potency;
• Prevention of stroke and heart attack.

Among all the beneficial properties of garlic, I would like to note that the plant has been deservedly recognized by scientists from all countries as an effective anti-cancer agent. Research has confirmed the fact that peoples who regularly use garlic in their national cuisine suffer from this terrible disease relatively little. If we talk about this in more detail, based on experiments conducted on people, it became clear that those who consume at least 5 grams of garlic or onions every day reduce the risk of getting cancer by as much as 50%. This merit is given to the action of allium; by the way, this is precisely the substance that “awarded” the plant with such a sharp and persistent smell. So, the more flavorful the garlic you eat, the lower the risk of cancer.

Many people, due to the specific garlic smell, have excluded it from the composition of seasonings in their kitchen. I would like to give advice: “Bring garlic back to the kitchen!” By regularly adding it to your food, you will make your stomach work smoothly. If we leave the topic of health, we can simply note that dishes with garlic have a unique taste; nothing can replace such a seasoning!

Harm

Since we are looking at all the properties of garlic, it is also necessary to note that this plant can in some cases cause harm to humans.

Harmful properties and contraindications:

• Unpleasant odor;
• Prohibition during pregnancy;
• Prohibition when breastfeeding;
• Prohibition for epilepsy.

Preparations for the winter

To ensure that garlic is available throughout the year, you can make preparations for the winter. It is more convenient for rural residents and owners of private houses to hang dried garlic bulbs in the kitchen in a stocking. For this, vegetables are used that are collected in the fall and dried according to all the rules. It will be more convenient for city residents and owners of small kitchens to stock up on pickled and canned garlic. Nowadays there are plenty of recipes for such a useful purpose. As a result, you will have an irreplaceable seasoning and effective medicine at your fingertips all year round!

Photo: Garlic in the garden.