Health Benefits of Garlic for Immunity

There's more to garlic than just being that aromatic ingredient in your kitchen; rather it is laden with health benefits, particularly in strengthening one's immunity. Whether one takes it raw as garlic pepper or in spice mixes such as garlic and  herb seasoning it contains a host of nutrients that support one's body's natural defenses. In this article we will find out how garlic can improve the immune system and get practical tips on how to add this superfood into your diet. If you are wondering how to get the most out of garlic and exactly how it can protect your health, continue reading!

Why is garlic a superfood for immunity?

Clearly garlic has been a herb of medicinal value for centuries and for reasons anyone can understand it remains an herb for boosting immunity to date. Its active principles, such as allicin, contain anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties that help fortify your body's natural defenses. Eating garlic regularly improves the ability of the immune system of the body in fighting against infections and diseases.

Garlic is a powerhouse of nutrient treasures, carrying within itself vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese and selenium that guarantee an immune system in great shape. While all the above nutrients keep your immune system going strong garlic improves circulation and regulates blood pressure and may even detoxify the body.

Antimicrobial Properties of Garlic

One of the most well known health benefits associated with garlic is its infection-fighting properties. Indeed, studies have shown that it contains antimicrobial properties useful for fighting viruses, bacteria, and fungi. On a regular basis this can help reduce the severity and length of colds and flu. This makes garlic very practical to have on hand during those colder winter months when the risk of catching a cold or flu is rather high.

Whether you eat it raw or mixed with garlic and herbs for a flavor sensation, garlic triggers white blood cells of the immune system into acting against invaders and lets your system overcome a variety of infections. Moreover, by incorporating garlic into your daily routine you reduce not only the chances of catching a cold but also the recovery period should you fall sick.

Garlic and Herb Seasoning: Flavorful Way to Boost Immunity

One of the quickest and easiest ways to add more garlic into your diet especially for anyone who enjoys adding a little flavor to their meals, is garlic and herb seasoning. You will find that sprinkling the seasoning on most of your favorite dishes is quite easy, from roasted vegetables to chicken, pasta and even soups. The natural properties of garlic are magnified as it combines with other immune boosting herbs like oregano and thyme boosting its health benefits.

Handy tip: Keep a jar of garlic and herb seasoning in your kitchen to add into all your meals for extra health benefits. It makes it so easy to add garlic into your daily diet whether you cook or just add to store bought items like salad dressings or marinades.

Garlic Breath Stress: How to Manage the Side Effect.

While incorporating garlic into your diet is a great way to support immune health, one major symptom many people have to deal with is bad breath. Garlic gets its pungent smell from some of the sulfur compounds that make up the plant, and this can linger in your mouth long after consumption. You can handle the stress of having garlic breath without giving up its health benefits.

One such easy trick is chewing some parsley or sipping on green tea right after you're done eating garlic since both neutralize the odor in your mouth. You can also try using garlic in dishes like roasted garlic, garlic chili chicken or anything where roasting will cut down the pungency in odor. Don't let the fear of garlic breath stand in the way of this amazing food. Garlic is well worth the immune boosting benefits it comes with!

The Immunity Benefits of Garlic Bulbils by Few People Garlic Variety

Speaking of garlic, all of us know what cloves are. But what about garlic bulbs? Small and airy, they grow off from the flower stalks of the garlic plant usually going unnoticed. Garlic bulbs have just the same immunity boosting compounds that regular garlic has but possess a sweet, mild flavor.

The garlic bulbs and persimmons can also be used just like regular garlic such as garlic pepper seasoning or adding it to dishes for an extra kick of flavor. While they may be more difficult to find than cloves of garlic if you can find any, the bulbs of garlic are great additions you can add to your diet for their immunity enhancing properties.

How to Add More Garlic into Your Diet

It is very versatile and can be used in almost any kind of cuisine. Here are some easy ways to add more garlic to your meals:

Raw garlic: Chop or crush fresh garlic and add it to salad dressings, salsas or smoothies. Most of the allicin which is responsible for many of its health benefits, is retained in the raw form of garlic.

Garlic butter: This is made from minced garlic mixed with soft butter. The garlic butter can be spread on bread used as a topping for vegetables or added in baking.

Garlic pepper: Very good seasoning to sprinkle over roasted vegetables, meats and even popcorn. A combination of garlic and pepper adds flavor and boosts immunity.

Conclusion: 

Garlic for a strong immune system

Garlic has many natural and powerful means of improving your immune system. Whether using garlic and herb seasoning, garlic pepper or garlic bubbles, adding garlic to your diet offers a very easy and tasteful way of improving health. On a regular basis the inclusion of garlic in the diet can help one's body fight off infections, shorten the course of an illness and maintain good health.

It is always good to take proactive steps toward better health through natural ingredients such as garlic which supports your immune system. With so many great health benefits associated with garlic this is something every kitchen should definitely contain.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many cloves of garlic are in a tablespoon?

One tablespoon is about equal to 3 to 4 cloves of minced garlic depending on the size of each clove. Anytime one is using garlic in their recipes and a particular amount is required it is always good to measure it! 

2. How to Make Garlic Butter? 

For garlic butter mix together softened butter and minced garlic; to every ¼ cup of butter add 2 cloves of minced garlic. Add a pinch of salt to taste and any other herbs you may want to use like parsley. It is great on bread, vegetables or even pasta dishes.

3. How to Grow Garlic?

Growing garlic is pretty easy! Plant the cloves of garlic in the fall, setting them 1 to 2 inches deep, pointed side up. Keep them in a sunny spot and water well. Garlic grows during the winter, and you can harvest it from late spring into early summer. 

4. One clove equals how much minced garlic?

If a recipe calls for whole garlic cloves and you need to use minced garlic instead, normally one clove of garlic is equal to 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. 5. What do dates taste like? Dates have a unique sweet flavor that has been likened to a combination of honey and apricots. They are soft and succulent when at their optimum ripeness but always an enjoyable addition to fruit salads or as a snack eaten alone.