Garlic is a staple in many kitchens as it adds flavour to various dishes. It is also considered for its numerous health benefits such as lowering one’s blood pressure, regulating cholesterol levels, improving cardiovascular health, and preventing certain types of cancer.
There are a lot of good things to say about this herb but there are also downsides to it as well. Here are the pros and cons of eating garlic.
Benefits of Garlic
Like it was mentioned before, garlic appears to have quite a long list of health benefits that not many are aware of. Here are some that you should take note of.
- It can boost your immune system. Garlic contains proteins that help create antibodies that combat various illnesses. This reduces your risk of acquiring diseases such as colds, cough, and even the more severe ones as well.
- It can treat and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and others can be treated and prevented with the help of garlic. This herb has the ability to reduce cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure so you won’t be at risk from heart attack, stroke, and the like.
- It is used as a home remedy for common illnesses. If you are quite prone to having coughs, colds, fever, headache, and the like, having some garlic can do you a world of good. This is considered as ancient remedy so you might want to try it out yourself.
Side Effects of Garlic
There is no doubt that garlic is an amazing herb that promotes good health but having too much of it can have some side effects that you should know about. Among these are:
- You might add weight. Since adding garlic to your meals can make them more flavorful, chances are you might be asking for seconds or thirds. This means that you’ll be adding more calories to your body if you are not too careful with your food intake.
- Prolong bleeding. Garlic can cause your blood vessels to dilate which means that if you cut yourself or have undergone surgery, you might keep on bleeding. A good rule of thumb is to avoid eating garlic at least two weeks prior to any major surgery to ensure that your wounds heal quickly.
- It can cause bad breath. Although garlic may be considered as a miracle herb, having too much can cause your breath to smell. Even if it is just a small piece, its pungent odor can be smelled easily. Unless you are not too queasy about the smell, you can use this herb for its medicinal properties. Otherwise, you will have to look for an alternative if you can’t stand the smell.
There is no doubt that garlic does come with plenty of health benefits but if you are not too careful with the amount that you consume, you are putting yourself at risk of suffering from the side effects mentioned above. Eating this herb in moderation, however, can boost your overall health.
Source: bembu.com
