Roasted Garlic: A Delicious Superfood for Your Health! Learn About Its Amazing Benefits Today
Garlic is an incredible member of the onion family that can be used in many recipes to add flavor. Plus, it boasts numerous health benefits!
Garlic is an effective antioxidant that combats free radicals. It also helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels due to its nutrient profile of manganese, iron, vitamin B6, zinc and selenium.
It Improves Your Immune System
Roasted garlic is an incredible addition to any dish, and its health benefits are well known. It contains allicin, which has been scientifically proven to lower cholesterol levels and strengthen your immune system.
Roasting garlic softens it, creating a mild flavor without the sharp bite of raw garlic. It’s ideal for blending into soup or sauces, mashing potatoes for delicious potato pancakes, spreading onto bread — the possibilities are endless!
Garlic has been used medicinally for centuries to treat cold and flu symptoms. It contains antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties that help strengthen your immunity.
Garlic has also been known to stimulate natural killer cells (NK) and dendritic cells, which play an essential role in strengthening your immune response. Furthermore, it stimulates cytokines production which improves overall functioning of your immunity system and can be especially helpful during times of crisis such as when fighting cancer.
It Lowers Your Cholesterol
Garlic can help lower cholesterol, making it especially beneficial for those suffering from hypercholesterolemia (high levels of cholesterol in the blood). The health benefits of garlic are due to sulfur compounds like allicin, which help combat hypercholesterolemia.
However, allicin is only part of the cholesterol-reducing power of garlic. Other nutrients like manganese, copper and selenium have also been known to reduce levels of cholesterol within the body.
However, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it may not be wise to include much garlic in your diet. Furthermore, avoid taking garlic if you are taking blood-thinning drugs or have any condition which could increase bleeding risk.
Roasted garlic is an irresistible addition to many dishes. It pairs perfectly with other roasted vegetables, is mashed into a compound butter or spread on crostini slices or bread, and adds flavor to soups, dips and sauces — plus it’s super quick and easy in the kitchen! Plus, there’s nothing quite like fresh-roasted garlic for adding extra zip to dishes!
It Reduces Inflammation
Roasted garlic is packed with health-promoting phytonutrients that support both antibacterial and immune function. Furthermore, it contains antioxidants which flush out toxins from the body, decreasing oxidative stress which protects DNA mutations and disrupted cell functions.
Consuming garlic has long been believed to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by red, itchy, flaky and inflamed areas. Furthermore, garlic acts as an effective natural fungicide and has long been known to combat athlete’s foot — caused by either fungal or yeast infections.
Garlic can also help reduce levels of heavy metals like cadmium in your body. This is especially important if you are exposed to large amounts of cadmium through exposure in the environment, according to the National Cancer Institute.
It Protects Against Cancer
Garlic contains compounds that have the potential to destroy cancer cells, and those who regularly consume garlic appear to be less likely to get cancer. This may be because garlic strengthens your immune system, helping it combat disease-causing agents.
Garlic not only has anticancer properties, but it is also anti-inflammatory and improves heart health. Some research suggests that taking garlic may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol — two risk factors for heart disease.
Garlic contains antioxidants which help combat free radicals that may damage cells and lead to diseases like heart disease or cancer. Furthermore, garlic helps combat aging and may provide protection from Alzheimer’s disease as well.
Studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer properties of garlic, especially those derived from alliinase, an enzyme naturally present in certain garlic cells. However, some of these beneficial effects can be negated by microwaving or roasting garlic for shorter periods.
How Much Roasted Garlic Should I Consume to Reap Its Health Benefits?
Garlic can have a strong flavor, which may not be appealing to some individuals. But roasting garlic helps enhance its taste and make it easier to swallow.
Roasted garlic has numerous health advantages, such as reducing the risk of certain cancers and heart disease. It contains antioxidants which prevent cell damage, shield your liver from toxins, and boost immunity to fight off illnesses.
How much roasted garlic should I consume?
Garlic is packed with beneficial nutrients and anti-inflammatory compounds, so it’s best to consume it in moderation. Eating a couple of cloves of roasted garlic daily should be enough to reap all its health benefits.
Does roasting destroy the nutrients in garlic?
Some studies have suggested that roasting may deplete dietary benefits from garlic, but this evidence is not conclusive. In fact, studies have demonstrated that roasting actually enhances its nutrient-rich compounds and even enhances its flavor.
How long should I roast garlic for?
When using roasted garlic, it’s essential to roast it in a moderately hot oven. Microwaving does not yield the desired results as microwave cooking can deplete its beneficial properties.
Do roasted garlic pose any digestive risks?
There have been reports that garlic may trigger gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is likely because garlic weakens the tone of your lower esophageal sphincter, which helps keep acid from backing up into your stomach.
How Does Roasting Garlic Affect Its Nutritional Value?
Garlic has numerous health benefits, from helping reduce cholesterol to preventing cancer. Its antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties make it a powerful immune booster.
But how does roasting garlic affect its nutritional value?
Allicin is formed when alliin, an enzyme found in garlic, and alliinase combine. Allicin gives garlic its characteristic scent — why roasting makes it so desirable!
Roasting it deactivates allicin, though.
Unfortunately, your body cannot metabolize and utilize fresh or raw veggies as efficiently as it could when they were fresh or raw.
Roasting garlic can be a delicious way to preserve all its benefits, so just mince up your cloves finely and roast for an extended period of time in the oven to achieve that caramelized flavor.
Roasted garlic has the additional benefit of being easier to digest and absorbing more of its antioxidant properties.
Additionally, raw garlic tends to be less irritating to the digestive tract than its raw counterpart; raw garlic may cause gas or bloating in some individuals.
Roasted garlic contains antioxidants that fight free radicals that may cause inflammation and cell damage in the body. As such, its use as a spice for cooking is highly recommended.
Furthermore, they promote blood circulation and prevent the formation of clots.
Though a single 3-gram clove of garlic may not provide much nutritional value, it still contains essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, iron, and magnesium. If you’re partial to garlic in your dishes on a regular basis, add it into your recipes for maximum health benefits and support your overall wellness.