Recognized for its numerous therapeutic virtues, garlic is particularly beneficial for cardiovascular health. How could you incorporate more of this food into your diet to improve your health?
Tl;dr
- Garlic, an ally for health thanks to its antioxidant properties.
- It contributes to the regulation of glucose and lipid levels.
- Garlic consumption associated with better long-term glucose control.
- Garlic requires frequent and fairly substantial consumption to observe its benefits.
Garlic: a miracle cure for health
The distinct aroma of garlic does not please all palates. However, to exclude this condiment from your plate would be an error of judgment. Rich in antioxidants, garlic has unsuspected qualities for our well-being, although it contains few carbohydrates, proteins and fibers.
The Healthy Benefits of Garlic
The benefits of garlic for our health have aroused the interest of several researchers around the world, particularly in China. These researchers focused their attention on the link between garlic and cardiovascular health, and more particularly on effects on cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
In a meta-analysis published in May 2024 in the journal Nutrients, they produced remarkable results. “In healthy individuals, glucose and lipid metabolism are precisely regulated”they specify, emphasizing the risks associated with a disruption of this metabolism.
Aliin: an essential molecule
Indeed, the use of garlic in the diet regulates the level of glucose and lipids in the blood thanks to allicin, a chemical substance. This substance turns into allicin once the garlic is chopped or crushed, causing it to strong smell and its health benefits.
A statement validated by the Chinese meta-analysis mentioned earlier: people who regularly add garlic to their diet actually have lower blood glucose levels, as well as indicators of better long-term glucose control.
Manage Garlic Consumption to Benefit From It
In order to reap all the benefits of this health ally, garlic must be consumed in sufficient quantity. Indeed, to observe real benefits, one or two cloves per day are recommended, preferably raw.
Is it intimidating? No worries. Even by regularly adding garlic to your dishes, you contribute to a balanced diet. Don’t hesitate to vary it with onions or shallots or, why not, black garlic for a different flavor on your plate.
