A little bit of garlic goes a long way. The pungent aroma makes your mouth water, while the taste adds a big flavor to practically any dish. Not only is the tiny clove small but mighty in the cooking department, but consuming garlic may have beneficial outcomes for several health conditions, like cardiovascular disease, cancer and metabolic syndrome. As a matter of fact, garlic contains such potent antioxidants that much of the research is looking into the effects of using it in supplemental form.
Learn the nutrition facts and health benefits of garlic and creative way to use it in everyday cooking.
Garlic nutrition facts
One clove of garlic has:
- 5 calories
- 0 grams protein
- 0 grams fat
- 1 gram carbohydrates
Garlic has some vitamins and minerals, but the amount in one garlic clove is minimal.
The health benefits of eating garlic
Although the amount of garlic in a recipe is small compared to other ingredients, the health benefits are abundant. Garlic has phenolic compounds (plant compounds) that have anti-inflammatory properties. And studies show even a small amount in the diet may contribute to overall good health.
There is an abundance of research on the health benefits of garlic. (Keep in mind, most of the human research on garlic observes the effects of ingesting large doses in supplemental form, rather than eating it in food.) A recent review states that supplementing with garlic has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart attack and stroke. The authors attribute these findings to the antioxidant properties of garlic, which protect the heart from stress and damage.
Garlic has also been studied for its role in cancer treatment. The doses and length of time of garlic ingestion vary, but many of the studies show a link between garlic supplementation and cancer treatment. For instance, a randomized controlled trial concluded that long-term supplementation with garlic among gastric cancer patients…
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