Garlic is undeniably one of the most frustrating double-edged swords in our diet. On the one hand, it’s a large component of various dishes that enhances and adds to their flavour. Yet, on the other hand, it gives us incredibly bad breath that can often linger for hours if not days!
However, I’m here today to show you why you might want to persevere through the stench as well as give you a few ways to combat it.
A variety of scientific studies have now proven that eating garlic can improve your cardiovascular health. In particular, aged or raw garlic has been shown to reduce total cholesterol and in particular, LDL (bad cholesterol) levels whilst also increasing HDL (good cholesterol) levels. If this wasn’t enough, just 10 grams of garlic per day has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer in the prostate, colon and stomach alongside boosts in cognition and the immune system.
The process begins when it’s chopped up. When you chew or dice garlic, it releases something called alliin which eventually creates a sulphur containing compounds, the very compounds which give garlic its notable taste and smell. Through this hydrogen sulphide, garlic can help to relax the blood vessels and provide a number of other health benefits such as its anti-cancer properties.
Garlic can be eaten in a number of ways such as raw, aged, fried, diced, oiled, and boiled. However, boiled garlic prevents the alliin process into sulphur and garlic oil is potentially toxic. The best way by far is raw, but chopping and putting it into dishes is the next best stop.
In order to fight the bad breath, make sure to eat parsley, brush, and floss right after your meal. To take off any bad smells from your hands, rub them with a lemon wedge, salt, and baking soda.