Have you ever tried garlic infusion? Probably not. In fact, we dare to imagine that you think we have gone mad. But it’s not like that.
This comforting drink has different health benefits that could be of interest to you, if you dare, of course, to ignore its strong flavor. Has your curiosity been piqued?
The garlic plant
Garlic, or Allium sativum, is a perennial plant that can reach 30 cm in length. Its origin is believed to be Asia; however, the information is not 100% reliable.
It stands out for its flat and thin leaves, and its deep roots (they can reach more than half a meter deep). Famous for its white-skinned bulb divided into teeth, it has become a widely used plant in gastronomy.
A curiosity? When harvested, garlic has a very pungent odor due to allyl disulfide and allicin, two compounds that give it some of its health properties.
Health properties of garlic infusion
Did you know that in Ancient Greece garlic was used to strengthen the immune system and maintain good health?
Nowadays, many people recommend eating raw garlic every day to take care of heart health and keep cardiovascular diseases at bay. But what is true in this theory? Next, we tell you why you should include garlic infusion in your diet.
It would lower LDL cholesterol levels
Some research on animals has found that the extract found in garlic helps combat the presence of “bad” cholesterol or LDL, that is, lower its levels .
In addition, those with high cholesterol can achieve a reduction of about 15% by consuming garlic or its preparations. So now you know: if you have high cholesterol, prepare an infusion of garlic.
Antibacterial properties
Experts have determined that garlic has an antibacterial effect that may help fight halitosis and other oral diseases, as well as help eliminate harmful bacteria from the digestive tract.
Provides nutrients to the body
Despite its small size, garlic is a source of various nutrients such as vitamins B6 and C, manganese, selenium, and fiber.
Increase defenses
A clinical trial from 2014 studied the immune response of two groups of people: one a consumer of garlic and the other a control group. After 12 weeks, the results indicated that those who regularly consumed garlic had 63% fewer colds than those who consumed the placebo.
Furthermore, the duration of cold symptoms decreased by 70%. What are you waiting for to include this infusion in your routine?
Take care of heart health
We advanced it to the beginning of this section and here is the answer: different investigations have found that garlic compounds act by reducing blood pressure one of the great risk markers for cardiovascular diseases. So yes, garlic infusion helps protect your heart.
Antioxidant properties
Oxidative stress is generated by free radicals and generates all kinds of diseases from premature aging to cardiovascular problems, Alzheimer’s and even cancer.
Garlic contains antioxidant compounds, molecules that fight free radicals to prevent oxidative damage. In fact, its antioxidants have been shown to decrease free radical stress.
Improves physical endurance
In Ancient Greece, athletes consumed garlic for when they had to compete. Although there are few studies on it, those that do exist explain that it may improve exercise capacity, improve endurance, and decrease fatigue. However, the data are not conclusive.
Increases estrogen values
One of the main female problems during and after menopause is bone loss. Well, consuming garlic is thought to increase estrogen levels, thereby preventing associated bone loss.
How to prepare a garlic infusion
The recipes to prepare this infusion are very varied and depend, of course, on your tastes. If you really like the taste of garlic, you can prepare a stronger infusion, while if you are not a fan of it, it is best to opt for a more diluted version.
Ingredients
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 cup of water
- Optional: grated ginger (3 grams), lemon juice (a dash) and/or honey
Elaboration
- Boil the water.
- Add the minced garlic.
- Let decoct 5 minutes.
- If you want to add the ginger, this is the time to do it. Enter it in small pieces or grated. Let cook another 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let stand 10 more minutes.
- Strain and serve. You can add a splash of lemon juice or honey.
As you can see, there are many benefits that you can obtain from including garlic infusion in your regular diet. Have we convinced you to try it?