Regular garlic consumption during cold or flu season can protect you from getting sick. Namely, it happens as a result of allicin, which is a powerful active compound found in garlic. This ingredient can act as an excellent virus fighter.
The History of Garlic Use as Exceptional Natural Medicine
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The Roman sailors and soldiers consumed garlic to enhance their endurance.
The Ancient Greeks used it in the treatment of many ailments, including insect bites, wounds, infections, blood and lung disorders, leprosy, etc.
The Ancient Egyptians also used garlic for treating a great number of health issues. There is an interesting finding that around 1500BC, the workers that built the pyramids consumed garlic in order to boost their stamina and protect themselves from developing diseases.
In 1859, Louis Pasteur, who was a prominent French microbiologist and chemist, stated that garlic consumption can kill any bacteria and viruses. It has been also proven that garlic can elevate the total antioxidant levels of the human body.
The Therapeutic Effects of Garlic’s Main Active Ingredient, Allicin:
As mentioned previously, allicin is actually the main biologically active ingredient present in garlic. In addition, it possesses extremely potent antiviral and anti-bacterial properties.
To explain you more deeply, there is an enzyme known as alliin in fresh garlic. This enzyme becomes allicin, when you crush the garlic. There is scientific research confirming that allicin could help in blood pressure and cholesterol reduction. Furthermore, it has also been found that this ingredient can help in preventing blood clots, enhancing blood flow and decreasing the possibility of developing atherosclerosis.
The researchers at the University of California claimed that allicin can also fight off any infections.
Despite allicin, garlic contains many powerful compounds that can destroy any viruses and bacteria that result in diarrhea, digestive issues, colds, flu, and earaches.
The Scientific Evidence behind Garlic
According to research carried out at Washington State University, the therapeutic effectiveness of garlic is far greater than a few popular antibiotics. In other words, garlic has been proven to be more efficient than 2 antibiotics at destroying any type of bacteria. It has also been found to destroy bacteria that contributed to the development of food-borne illness.
A spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association and Derbyshire-based consultant dietitian named Helen Bond claimed that garlic has been long used as a result of its strong anti-bacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal activity.
The Cochrane Database, which is a famous global research organization, conducted a comprehensive investigation suggesting that increased garlic consumption during winter months could significantly reduce the duration of cold symptoms.
The University of Florida’s nutrition scientists revealed that consuming garlic could increase the amount of T-cells in the bloodstream. Moreover, these cells are responsible for boosting the immune systems and destroying viruses.
According to a recent Australian study that was published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, those participants who consumed a lot of garlic decreased their blood pressure levels.
Brazilian dentists found that those patients who gargled with garlic water destroyed the tooth decay and gum disease-causing germs.
How to consume garlic to reap all its health benefits:
In fact, there are 2 excellent ways of preparing garlic to reap all its therapeutic properties.
Specifically, researchers from Argentina found that garlic releases allicin when baked.
On the other hand, researchers at South Carolina Medical University consider that you should peel garlic, place it in a bowl, and not cover it for about 15 minutes. They believe that allowing the uncovered garlic to sit for that period of time will release the most powerful compounds to treat any infection.
Unbelievably, there are studies showing that garlic could also help in the prevention of cancer development.
In this article, we are going to present you fantastic soup recipe containing a lot of garlic. The soup also includes lemon, thyme, and onions. All these ingredients work together to kill literally any virus, which causes colds and flu. They can destroy the norovirus, as well.
Marvelous Soup Recipe with Plenty of Garlic
Needed Ingredients:
- 26 peeled organic cloves of garlic
- 26 unpeeled organic cloves of garlic cloves
- Half a cup of organic ginger
- 4 organic lemon wedges
- Two and a quarter cups of organic sliced onions
- Three and a half cups of organic vegetable broth
- Half a cup of organic coconut milk
- 2 tbsp of organic butter
- 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
- One and a half tsp of chopped fresh thyme
- Half a tsp of cayenne powder
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Method of preparation:
Start by preheating the oven to 350F and then add 26 cloves of garlic in a glass baking dish.
Next, sprinkle it by using sea salt, pour the olive oil over it, and stir it.
Afterwards, cover it by using foil and bake until the garlic becomes tender and golden brown.
Let it cool off and then squeeze it between your fingertips in order to release the garlic cloves.
Place the cloves to another bowl.
In a large saucepan, add the butter and melt it over medium heat.
Then, add the cayenne powder, thyme, onions, and ginger and cook it for nearly 6 minutes.
You should also add the other 26 raw cloves as well as roasted garlic and cook it for another 3 minutes.
Moreover, add the vegetable broth. Also, consider covering and simmering it for nearly 20 minutes or until the garlic becomes very tender.
Place it in a blender and blend it until you get a smooth mixture.
At least, add the resulted mixture to saucepan, pour the coconut milk and let it simmer. You can also use pepper and sea salt to season it.
Also, you should squeeze the juice of each lemon wedge into every bowl.
Enjoy!
Note: You can prepare this amazing garlic soup a day ahead, cover and keep it in a fridge.
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