Garlic May Reduce Cholesterol
You probably know garlic is good for your cholesterol. And if you like garlic you wouldn’t even think of making your favourite recipes without it – this is a good thing because this pungent herb may also be good for your blood sugar.
According to early research with animals, garlic may increase insulin secretion, which would lower blood sugar, and improve insulin sensitivity, in effect helping to reverse diabetes. Since supplements showed no blood sugar benefits, enjoy garlic the old fashioned way, raw or cooked. A recent animal study found that high doses of raw garlic significantly reduce blood sugar levels.
"The stinking rose" offers other health benefits as well. Study after study shows it can help keep cholesterol under control by lowering "bad" cholesterol and pumping up the "good" cholesterol. In an analysis of five trials in which participants received either garlic supplements or placebos, the testers concluded that you could lower your cholesterol by 9% with the equivalent of 1 ½ to 3 cloves of garlic daily for period of 2 to 6 months. Garlic also has the health benefits of thinning the blood. This makes it less likely to form artery clogging clots.
Health Bonus of Eating Garlic
A diet rich in garlic could mean a lower risk of several types of cancer, including cancer of the stomach and colon. Garlic also has the ability to bring down high blood pressure.
