By Burnett Munthali
Abstract
Garlic is a polyphenolic and organosulfur enriched nutraceutical spice consumed since ancient times. Garlic and its secondary metabolites have shown excellent health-promoting and disease-preventing effects on many human common diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, blood pressure, and diabetes, through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties, as demonstrated in several in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the consumption of garlic, garlic preparation, garlic extract, and garlic extract-derived bioactive constituents on oxidative stress, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, skin, bone, and other common diseases. Among the 83 human interventional trials considered, the consumption of garlic has been reported to modulate multiple biomarkers of different diseases; in addition, its combination with drugs or other food matrices has been shown to be safe and to prolong their therapeutic effects. The rapid metabolism and poor bioavailability that have limited the therapeutic use of garlic in the last years are also discussed.
Introduction
Spices are not only used to increase the aroma, flavor, and color of food, but are also considered for therapeutic purposes for their potential prevention of different acute and chronic diseases. Various bioactive compounds of spices, including alkaloids, tannins, vitamins and phenolic diterpenes, flavonoids and polyphenols, as well as sulfur-containing compounds, are responsible for different types of therapeutic properties, thanks to their antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antitumorigenic, anti-inflammatory, and glucose and cholesterol-lowering properties.
Garlic (Allium sativum L.), a member of the Amaryllidaceae family that is cultivated all over the world, provides noteworthy health benefits. In 1550 B.C., antibiotics and pharmacy products were not available so garlic was used for medicinal purposes in different epidemics, such as typhus, dysentery, cholera, and influenza. The therapeutic effects of garlic are mainly due to the impressive activity of its bioactive compounds, such as organic sulfides, saponins, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides. For example, several in vitro and in vivo studies have showed that garlic compounds are able to modulate various signaling pathways.
Here are 11 health benefits of garlic that are supported by human research. Garlic contains compounds with potent medicinal properties. Garlic is highly nutritious but has very few calories. Garlic can help protect against illness, including the common cold. The active compounds in garlic can reduce blood pressure.
“Therapeutic Uses of Garlic
Because of its biologically active component, allicin, and its derivatives, garlic has long been used as a medicine to treat a variety of illnesses and disorders including high blood pressure [8], high cholesterol, coronary artery disease], cancers such as colon, rectal, stomach, breast, prostate, and bladder cancers, as well as lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases such as antilipemic, hypotensive, enlarged prostate (BP-hyperplasia), diabetes, osteoarthritis, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), travelers’ diarrhea, preeclampsia, and cold and flu. It’s also used to boost immunity and prevent and cure bacterial and fungal infections. The plant treats fever, cough, headache, abdominal pain, sinus congestion, gout, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, asthma, bronchitis, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, high blood sugar, and snake bites, as well as maintaining healthy liver function, asthma, arthritis, back pain, bronchitis, chronic fever, tuberculosis, rhinitis, malaria, and stubborn skin conditions such as leprosy. Garlic cloves have antilipemic (cholesterol-lowering), antihypertensive, antimicrobial, and anticancer qualities, all of which help prevent cancer cells from forming in the stomach, liver, and other human organs, and also help with asthma, arthritis, back pain, bronchitis, chronic fever, tuberculosis, rhinitis, malaria, stubborn skin conditions including leprosy, leucoderma, skin discoloration, and itching colic, enlarged spleen, hemorrhoids, fistula, bone fracture, gout, urinary tract disease, diabetes, and kidney stone. The plant also has antibacterial and anthelmintic capabilities, as well as diuretic, digestive, and vaginal infections, platelet effects, sickle cell anemia, liver-protecting, and detoxifying properties, as well as antioxidant and radiation-protecting properties.
Boosts immune system. Garlic is renowned for its immune-boosting properties. It contains a rich concentration of allicin, a sulfuric compound responsible for its pungent aroma and many health benefits. Improves heart health. What happens when you drink garlic everyday?
Garlic is highly nutritious and associated with a variety of health benefits. However, if you eat too much of it, it may cause side effects like bad breath, acid reflux, digestive issues, and an increased risk of bleeding.
Garlic is good for men. It contains a compound called allicin that’s been shown to improve circulation by dilating blood vessels, which is a key part of how you get an erection. Some research has suggested that this will even help aging men counteract the effects of their deteriorating health on erectile function.
In the next article, we will continue to focus on the goodness of garlic