COLD AND FLU FIGHTING POWER OF GARLIC

Garlic has been used as both a food and a medicinal for millennia. In fact, consuming garlic may bring several health benefits.

This includes a lower risk of heart disease, better cognitive health, increased immunological function, and a lower chance of some forms of cancer.

This article shows how garlic can help guard against the common cold and flu.

GARLIC HAS THE ABILITY TO IMPROVE IMMUNOLOGICAL FUNCTION

Garlic includes chemicals that aid the immune system in its battle against pathogens.

Alliin is a chemical found in whole garlic. When garlic is crushed or chewed, this chemical is converted into allicin (with a c), garlic's major active component.

Allicin includes sulfur, which is responsible for garlic's characteristic odor and flavor.

Allicin, on the other hand, is unstable and quickly changes to other sulfur-containing chemicals considered to give garlic its therapeutic effects.

These chemicals have been found to improve the disease-fighting response of particular types of white blood cells in the body when they come into contact with viruses like the common cold or flu.

CAN GARLIC HELP YOU FROM GETTING A COLD OR FLU?

Garlic has showed potential as a cold and flu prevention therapy.

Garlic has been demonstrated in studies to lessen the likelihood of being sick in the first place, as well as the length of time you stay sick. It may also help to lessen the intensity of symptoms.

For three months, 146 healthy participants were given garlic supplements or a placebo. The garlic group had a 63% decreased chance of catching a cold. However, there was no significant difference in the time it took to recover from a cold across groups.

Another study indicated that people who consumed 2.56 grams of aged garlic extract per day throughout cold and flu season had considerably fewer colds than those who did not. Their colds were also milder.

If you catch a cold or flu frequently, consuming garlic may help minimize your symptoms or avoid your sickness completely.

A examination of the research, however, discovered that many of the studies looking into the benefits of garlic on the common cold were of poor quality.

It's also unclear if garlic should be taken on a regular basis or if it may be used as a quick fix when you become ill.

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF GARLIC

Garlic's health benefits might vary depending on how it is processed or cooked.

Alliinase, the enzyme that transforms alliin into the beneficial allicin, only operates under particular circumstances. Heat can also be used to disable it.

An prior research discovered that as little as 60 seconds in the microwave or 45 minutes in the oven can deactivate alliinase, and another investigation discovered similar results.

Crushing garlic and letting it to stand for 10 minutes before cooking, on the other hand, has been shown to help avoid the loss of its therapeutic characteristics.

According to the researchers, the loss of health benefits due to cooking could be compensated for by increasing the amount of garlic used.

Here are a few strategies to optimize garlic's health benefits:

• Before eating any garlic, crush or slice it. This raises the content of allicin.

• Allow your smashed garlic to stand for 10 minutes before using it in your cooking.

• Use a lot of garlic – at least one clove every meal if possible.

GARLIC SUPPLEMENTS

Taking a supplement is another simple method to improve your garlic intake. Be cautious, though, because there are no established standards for garlic supplements. As a result, the allicin content and quality vary, as do the possible health benefits.

Garlic powder

Powdered garlic is created from freshly cut and dried garlic. It lacks allicin but is thought to have allicin potential.

Garlic powder is treated at low temperatures before being placed within capsules to protect it from stomach acid.

This aids the enzyme alliinase in surviving the harsh environment of the stomach and converting alliin to the beneficial allicin in the intestine.

Unfortunately, it's uncertain how much allicin powdered garlic pills can provide. This is quite variable depending on the brand and preparation.

Aged garlic extract

When raw garlic is cut and preserved in 15-20% ethanol for more than 1.5 years, it transforms into old garlic extract.

This supplement does not include allicin, but it does preserve garlic's medicinal qualities. Many of the trials that found advantages for colds and flu employed aged garlic extract.

Garlic oil

Garlic oil is another useful supplement that is often produced using steam distillation. It is usually administered in capsule form.

Garlic oil differs from garlic-flavored cooking oil, which is created by infusing raw garlic into cooking oils.

Homemade garlic oil has also been connected to many cases of botulism, so use proper preservation measures if you produce your own.

HOW MUCH GARLIC SHOULD YOU CONSUME EACH DAY?

While no beneficial garlic dose has been determined, several research on raw garlic employ 100 mg crushed raw garlic per kilogram of body weight twice per day. This works up to three to four cloves every day.

You might also take a supplement containing old garlic extract. Dosages ranging from 240 mg to 2,560 mg have been used in studies looking at the health advantages of aged garlic.

Garlic supplements can be harmful in high doses, so stick to the recommended amount.

Other immune-boosting methods

Here are five additional strategies to enhance your immune system and avoid colds and flu:

• Consider taking a probiotic: Probiotics may support gut health, boost immunological response, and lower infection risk in some people.

• Stop smoking: Cigarette smoking might impair your immune system and make you more susceptible to illness.

• Avoid consuming too much alcohol: Excessive alcohol use is known to weaken the immune system and make you more vulnerable to illness.

• Take a zinc supplement: Take zinc lozenges or syrup within 24 hours after the onset of a cold to help shorten its length.

• Consume a well-balanced diet: It is critical to consider your whole diet. Getting a healthy mix of nutrients can assist keep your immune system in excellent shape.

CONCLUSION

Garlic may help combat colds and flu, according to research. It may lower your chances of becoming sick and help you recover faster.

To get the most out of these advantages, eat raw garlic or aged garlic extract.

At the end of the day, garlic is both delicious and quite healthful. There are several compelling reasons to incorporate it into your diet.