The amazing health benefits of garlic

Integrating with the local people is a very important part of relocating to a new country. Even if you don´t speak the language, you can do this by regularly socialising in local bars and cafés. You will notice very quickly that people treat you differently, just because your face has become familiar. 

As an expat who has lived in the Vall de Pop (Jalon Valley) for many years now, I have made some life-long friends here and my weekly routine includes “Almuerzo” (mid morning meal, between breakfast and lunch), with a group of Spanish farmers who have been kind enough to accept me into their group.  It has been a pleasure and an education and they have taken great pride in showing me the traditions and customs that are a part of their everyday lives. They have at times had a great laugh at my expense, but that is also a sign of acceptance and it would be remiss of me to take it personally!

They often have strong ideas about how things should be done, and sometimes, one would wonder, whether some of their ideas are “old wives tales”. One of the group, every day without fail, eats a whole, raw garlic clove! He is not a man of many words, but he did say that he has done it all his life and it is very good for your health. When I followed this up with some research, the science appears to back this up wholeheartedly. 

Garlic is classed as a superfood, full of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

The organic sulphur compound Allicin, which is what gives garlic the distinctive and pungent smell, is the star of the nutrients in garlic. 

6 health benefits of garlic:

1. Boost your immunity- Research has shown that garlic helps to kill viruses and bacteria. Recent research also links garlic to a reduced risk of colon cancer.
2. Improve your heart health- Red blood cells turn the sulphur in Allicin into hydrogen sulphide gas. This expands blood vessels, improving circulation which will help to regulate your blood pressure and lower cholesterol too.
3. Reduces inflammation- The Arthritis Foundation recommends garlic as a natural preventative treatment. Garlic infused oil can be rubbed directly onto joints to help alleviate the symptoms.
4. Helps in the treatment of acne- The anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant qualities in garlic kill the bacteria that cause acne. Rub a raw garlic clove directly onto the spot or pimple (test with caution in case it causes irritation or inflammation).
5. Kills bacteria in your food- The anti-bacterial properties in garlic can kill the bacteria that give you food poisoning (eg Salmonella and E.coli)

6. Can treat your Athletes Foot- Garlic also fights fungus. Soak your feet in warm water infused with garlic.

    

   How to eat garlic to maximise the potency of its health benefits

   Raw- Of course, my friend was correct. This is by far, the best way to eat it. Peel a clove, slightly bruise it and leave it for 5 minutes before eating it. 

   

Cooked- This is how most of us consume garlic. The best way is to prepare it by slicing, chopping or pressing it and adding it nearer the end of cooking. Basically, the more it is cooked the less potent it becomes.

Supplements- If you don´t like the taste of garlic, this is a good option, but read the instructions carefully as they can cause allergic reactions.

Garlic water- Drink this in the morning before breakfast for the best effects: It aids the liver by flushing out toxins, supports digestion by balancing gut bacteria and boosts energy levels. To prepare; Peel and lightly bruise 1 or 2 cloves of garlic, leave for 10 minutes before popping into a glass of warm or room temperature water (not hot), leave for 10 minutes to infuse and then drink (a drop of honey or a slice of lemon can also be an optional extra).

Garlic is a very important ingredient in most Mediterranean diet recipes. I must admit, at this point, that I tried it and didn´t much like it raw but, like anything, if you do it regularly it gets easier. When I am cooking nowadays, I tend to double up on the recommended garlic, add it close to the end instead of at the beginning and use always add a clove, finely grated in my salad dressings.

My Spanish friends have educated me in many aspects of Spanish culture and they have taught me to listen very carefully to the “old wives tales”. People have been eating raw garlic for centuries, way before the days of scientific research and perhaps that is the best proof of all!