Garlic, especially raw garlic, has been used for several centuries as a seasoning and as a medicinal food due to its health benefits, which are:
- Fight cholesterol and high triglycerides, as they contain allicin;
- Reduce blood pressureas it relaxes blood vessels;
- Prevent thrombosisas it is rich in antioxidants;
- Protect the heartby lowering cholesterol and blood vessels.
To obtain these benefits, you must consume at least 4 g of fresh garlic per day or 4 to 7 g of garlic in capsules, as it loses much of its effect when used in supplement form.
Nutritional information and how to use
The following table shows the nutritional composition of 100 g of fresh garlic.
Garlic can be used as a seasoning for meat, fish, salads, sauces and side dishes such as rice and pasta.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that raw garlic is more potent than cooked garlic, that fresh garlic is more potent than old garlic, and that garlic supplements do not bring as many benefits as its natural consumption. In addition to garlic, consuming ginger daily also helps lower high blood pressure.
How to use garlic to protect the heart
To protect the heart, preference should be given to using fresh garlic, which can be added as a seasoning to culinary preparations, added to water or taken as tea.
Garlic Water
To prepare garlic water, place 1 crushed garlic clove in 100 ml of water and let the mixture rest overnight. This water should be consumed on an empty stomach to help cleanse the intestines and reduce cholesterol.
Garlic Tea
The tea should be made with 1 clove of garlic for every 100 to 200 ml of water. Add chopped or crushed garlic to boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, remove from heat and drink warm. To improve the flavor, you can add ginger zest, lemon drops and 1 spoon of honey to the tea.
Garlic Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon softened unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon of garlic paste or fresh garlic, finely chopped or crushed
- 1 teaspoon of finely chopped parsley
- 1 pinch of salt
Preparation Mode
Mix all the ingredients until it becomes a paste, spread it on the bread and wrap it in aluminum foil before placing it in a medium oven for 10 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and leave for another 5 to 10 minutes, to brown the bread.
