Garlic

Nutritional Profile

Garlic provides 149 calories per 100gm; 0.5g fat, 6g of protein, 33g of carbohydrates, 17mg of sodium and 401mg of potassium.

Interesting facts

· Garlic is a member of the Lily family which also includes onions, leeks and shallots.

· Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated crops. It was fed to the builders of the Great Pyramid in Egypt in the belief that it gave them strength and endurance.

· In ancient Greece, brides carried bouquets of herbs and garlic, not flowers.

· Garlic applied on wounds can heal them faster. During World War I, this healing quality of garlic was used extensively by British soldiers.

· There are over 300 varieties of garlic grown throughout the world. China produces 66% of the world's garlic.

Health facts

· Garlic contains 17 amino acids. Amino acids are essential to nearly every bodily function and make up 75% of the human body.

· The consumption of garlic lowers blood cholesterol levels and reduces the build-up of plaque in the arteries. It is also used to treat acne and toothaches.

· The active compounds in garlic can reduce blood pressure. Human studies have found garlic supplementation to have a significant impact on reducing blood pressure in people with high blood pressure problems.

· Garlic contains antioxidants that may help prevent Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Oxidative damage from free radicals contributes to the aging process. Garlic contains antioxidants that support the body's protective mechanisms against oxidative damage.

· Garlic was one of the earliest "performance enhancing" substances. It was traditionally used in ancient cultures to reduce fatigue and enhance the work capacity of labourers. Most notably, it was administered to Olympic athletes in ancient Greece.

Study

Garlic supplementation is known to boost the function of the immune system. One large 12-week study found that a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% compared to placebo. Another study found that a high dose of garlic extract (2.56 grams per day) can reduce the number of days sick with cold or flu by 61%.