There are numerous long-term benefits of eating raw garlic daily and hence Garlic is a sought-after vegetable. Eating raw garlic daily is known to have many beneficial side effects.
Indeed, there are some side effects as well of eating garlic daily, especially raw garlic. But when you look at this from a future perspective, the benefits do outweigh the disadvantages.
As for the pungent taste of raw garlic, look ahead to the positive long-term results that you can acquire by consuming it.
Side Effects of Eating Raw Garlic every day
Is it safe to eat garlic every day? A question that arises in the minds of people who start this daily routine. There is no point in continuing a health regime if it is doing more harm than good, right?
The answer is Yes, it is safe to eat garlic every day. You can safely consume about 3 – 4 cloves of Garlic daily.
There are a few side effects to look out for, but nothing life-threatening!
Side effects are usually a common occurrence when consuming a spice in its raw form, due to the concentrated minerals it contains. The side effects are not limited to but include the following:
1. Bad breath
Bad breath is the number one reason why people avoid eating garlic! Unfortunately, it is also the first side effect of eating garlic raw. This potent characteristic of garlic is unlikely to ever disappear and you can try to cover up with a breath freshener.
That said, you should not shy away from eating garlic just because of this drawback. There are ways to get rid of bad breath, especially if you consume garlic in the morning before brushing and breakfast.
2. Nausea
Raw garlic may not suit everyone and a common side effect of raw garlic is nausea and vomiting. The best way to see if raw garlic will affect you is to test it out. Consume a small amount of garlic in the early stages of this routine and observe for any reactions.
If you notice nausea arising, you probably have a sensitive stomach. In this case, you should try to decrease your raw garlic intake or dilute the concentration. In the worst case, avoid the garlic altogether.
3. Gas
Notice a lot of flatulence and bloating on your abdomen? Yes, raw garlic has the ability to do this, even when consuming a healthy nutritious diet.
You can use over-the-counter medicines to help with the excess gas. You could also try some activities or natural remedies to tackle this problem. Engaging in physical activity like walking can help reduce the gas.
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4. Heartburn
Heartburn is a pain felt in the chest and upper extremities in the abdomen. Most cases of heartburn are due to indigestion. Sometimes heartburn can persist in the throat. Heartburn can be due to other reasons: smoking, excess alcohol intake, spicy food, underlying health issues, etc.
Garlic does possess the potential to cause heartburn and you will have to be at peace with this fact. Having an antacid will immediately solve the heartburn but it is not a permanent fix.
5. Burning Mouth Sensation
Garlic has a pungent taste. It is not very delightful to the taste buds. You can expect mild to high burning sensations in the mouth depending on the sensitivity of your taste buds.
Reducing the garlic into smaller pieces will make it easier to ingest the recommended dose of daily garlic. 2 to 3 cloves of garlic is what you should expect to consume a day to make noticeable changes to your health.
But on the flip side, there are also many positives that you will experience by consuming this miracle vegetable in the long term.
Long-Term Medicinal Benefits of Eating Raw Garlic
Here are a few benefits that you can get by consuming raw garlic over the long term.
1. Prevention against Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Garlic is rich in numerous antioxidants that slow down aging and reduce oxidative damage. This in turn protects the body against cellular damage, effectively reducing the chances of developing brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Garlic also plays a role in reducing your chances of getting cancer and other heart-related diseases like stroke and heart attack.
2. Garlic Helps in Detoxification of Lead and Heavy Metals
A study carried out on workers in a lead-excess environment proves that sulfur compounds in garlic help to break down and detoxify a variety of heavy metals, including lead.
Garlic also helps to eliminate common side-effects of heavy metals poisoning, such as blood pressure and headaches.
3. Blood Pressure Can Be Reduced With Garlic
Hypertension (high blood pressure) accounts for a considerable number of deaths in the USA each year. Avoiding medicine by adding a vegetable to your diet should be an incentive to start eating garlic.
To achieve this, you will have to eat around 4 cloves of garlic a day to notice such effects.
4. Garlic Helps Guard Against Colds and Flu
The antioxidants present in garlic can act as an immune system booster during the winter season. Although garlic cannot guarantee you do not get sick at all, it can limit the number of days that the flu lasts for.
5. Live Longer!
Although there is no clinical evidence of this, it is speculated that adding garlic to your diet from a young age can help you live beyond your years!
Other Benefits of Garlic
Garlic is no “one-hit wonder”. These are some other benefits of eating garlic raw or cooked:
- Reduces cholesterol
- Treats various respiratory issues (asthma, bronchitis, cough)
- Reduces chances of blood clots
Are You Allergic to Garlic?
Though it is not common, it is possible to be allergic to garlic.
If you are allergic to garlic, it will be more evident when consuming raw garlic on a daily basis. You should look out for the most common signs and symptoms of garlic allergies.
Symptoms mostly include face swelling, respiratory issues, redness, and discomfort. In any of these cases, you should stop consuming garlic and consult a doctor.
When is the Best Time to Eat Garlic?
There is much debate about when is the best time to consume garlic, many people prefer fresh garlic in the morning. Others prefer to take it at night before bedtime.
We would suggest testing and you should try eating garlic at different times of the day and see what suits you best. We will give details about eating garlic in the morning and night below.
How to Eat Garlic in the Morning?
The reason why garlic should be consumed in the morning is that the active compound Allicin is most active when fresh.
It breaks down when kept for long amounts of time. Eating garlic in the morning on an empty stomach is said to help in weight loss, among many other medicinal benefits.
Here are the best ways to eat raw garlic in the morning:
- The combination of finely chopped garlic (1or 2 cloves) and mixed honey is a good way to start the morning. That is how you can avoid a bad taste in your mouth.
- If you are brave you can chop it into chunks, chew it and swallow it. This is not for everyone as there are alternative methods.
- A third option is to liquidize a few cloves (2-3 cloves) and then mix them into a glass of water. This helps to dilute the possible unpleasant taste of the raw garlic.
- Green tea with a bit of garlic is one of the more pleasant ways to consume morning garlic.
How to Eat Garlic Before Bed?
Many people prefer to have a warm beverage just before bed, it is said that this helps you sleep better. Raw garlic can help patients who suffer from insomnia. Take it half an hour before you want to sleep.
When it comes to eating raw garlic before bed, there are 3 main ways to consume it:
- You can liquidize it and add it to warm water, or boiled milk with a teaspoon of honey to make it more pleasant.
- Alternatively, you can chop it very finely and again add it to warm water or boiling milk.
- Garlic-based tea would suit people who have a habit of drinking tea before bed.
Antibiotic Benefits of Eating Raw Garlic in Empty Stomach
Raw garlic is mostly eaten with an empty stomach since this is when the garlic’s antimicrobial properties are most powerful.
Bacteria and other microbes present in the stomach and gut are most vulnerable before eating anything. When you consume garlic on an empty stomach there are no counter-acting foods, enzymes, or liquids present to reduce the antibiotic effect of Garlic.
This basically means garlic is a natural antibiotic that can be a substitute for pharmaceutical antibiotics.
Nutritional Value of Garlic: What Vitamins are present in Garlic?
Garlic is a highly nutritious vegetable that contains a minimum amount of calories, making it even more popular. Its high levels of assorted minerals and vitamins make it one ingredient that needs to be regular in any diet plan.
Here are the nutrient levels that 3 grams of raw garlic contain:
- Vitamin B6: 2% of Daily Value
- Manganese: 2% Daily Value
- Calcium: 1% Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 1% Daily Value
- Selenium: 1% Daily Value
- Fiber: 0.06 grams
- Protein: 0.2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- Calories: 4.5 calories
Why You Should Eat Garlic Raw Not Cooked?
Although garlic is rich in various minerals and vitamins, not all of them are stable. Some Vitamins such as Vitamin B and Vitamin C are soluble in water and are likely to be broken down and damaged during cooking.
This is why we suggest consuming garlic raw in chunks or in water to make sure all minerals are retained.
Start Eating Garlic Raw Today!
Exactly how garlic will impact your life and lifestyle does not have sure results. I guess you will only know the benefits of garlic when you start this daily routine of consuming raw garlic!
Why take medicines when you can use a vegetable instead.
FAQs
Yes, garlic can in fact help detox your liver. Garlic contains a compound called Selenium. This mineral can break down and eliminate harmful substances that accumulate in the liver.
The recommended dosage of raw garlic varies. Typically you can consume 3 to 4 grams of fresh garlic each day to make a difference in your life.
