What are the Health Benefits of Garlic?

 

The world has known about garlic and all its benefits for ages – approximately 500 years. The origins of garlic run deep. Garlic is known to be one of the oldest horticulture crops in the world. In the old world, Egyptian and Indian cultures have used and referenced garlic for thousands of years. In addition to Egyptian and Indian cultures, Chinese and Babylonians have grown garlic just as long. It’s amazing to see garlic last through numerous cultures for centuries and even millennia.  

Traditionally, garlic has been used for more than low sodium seasoning blends. Throughout ancient times, garlic was used as a remedy for stomach issues, worms, respiratory infections, wounds, skin diseases, symptoms of aging, and many other different ailments of the times. However, the use of garlic continued to transform throughout history--through the middle ages all the way to World War II, the use of garlic to treat wounds surfaced repeatedly. It was ground up or sliced and was applied directly to wounds to inhibit the spread of infections. In today’s time, garlic is mainly used in food and provides many different benefits through cuisine. 

 

Garlic is a mighty vegetable with several health benefits for your body. Garlic is in the onion family, so it’s related to shallots, chives, and leeks. Garlic has a great reputation all over the world; it is used and loved by all cultures and ethnicities–Asian, African North America, Latin American, and European cooking.

 

According to Medical News Today, garlic is widely used for several conditions linked to the blood system and heart, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, heart attack, coronary heart disease, and hypertension. Those potential health benefits are amazing, and you can even use garlic for diabetes symptoms.   Heart health is extremely important and using garlic as part of your cooking routine not only adds great flavors to your dishes, but benefits your heart and health. 

 

The most popular forms of garlic use are either raw garlic or garlic powder; however, there are other ways people use garlic. There is garlic butter, roasted garlic, garlic oil, and garlic salt. Lastly, some of the top chefs and restaurants may use dehydrated garlic, but not many people have time or the equipment to put garlic in a dehydrator. 

Garlic powder is one of the low sodium cooking herbs and spices you can use daily and it’s readily available in all stores – everything from your discount store to your premium grocery store. Since garlic has medicinal and healing properties it is a good idea to keep garlic around and fully stocked in your kitchen. Having garlic on hand can be beneficial for the common cold, helping with your blood pressure, and is a great seasoning that provides plenty of flavor. Lastly, garlic can help boost your immune system. 

In addition to garlic powder being available in stores all over, garlic salt can be found in stores and if you need a gourmet garlic salt, you can browse our product collection! Garlic salt is made from salt and garlic powder, which is very nutritious since it consists of many minerals and vitamins. Garlic salt is an anti-inflammatory agent that helps in treating disorders related to inflammation. Garlic salt is very rich in dietary fiber, which is a bulking agent that helps in moving along the digestive tract.

In conclusion, people have been using garlic for ages – using it in food and as a medicine. Garlic medicinal benefits are plentiful. Based on how many people use garlic and the different ways they use it, the current trends project the use of garlic to continue to expand. With its one of a kind flavor palette, chefs all over the world have been inspired to create creative dishes, and herbalists have been inspired to create remedies for many different medical conditions. Garlic is flexible, adaptable, and most importantly it's delicious!