Health:-/- Garlic's medicinal properties are well known;so go ahead and add it to your diet:

For centuries garlic has been used as a medicinal and culinary
substance in India, China, Greece and other countries. It has beenused
as a salve for everything from headachesto colds to infections and
healing wounds. To some, however, the strong flavour of garlic is not
very appealing; in fact repelling.Therefore, although garlic is a
widely available spice, it is not very popular in some households.
Garlic does not make significant nutritional contribution to the diet
because the quantities added to recipes are small. But even these nano
amounts make a big difference to one's health.
The biological benefits and the distinct odour of garlic are
attributed to the many sulphur containing compounds; one of which is
Alliin. This compound is converted to Allicin when garlic is crushed.
Allicin is, perhaps, the principal bioactive compound present even in
processed garlic.
Limited evidence supports an association between garlic consumption
and a reduced risk of colon, prostate, oesophageal, larynx, oral,
ovary and other cancers. This is due to diallylsulde, a potent
bioactive component. Besides, the plant can also accumulate selenium,
a trace element known to possess anti-cancer properties, from the
soil.
Curtailing cardiac diseases
One inexpensive way of curtailing cardiovascular diseases is to use
generousamounts of garlic in cooking. Garlic consumption inhibits the
progression of cardiovascular diseases. It can bring about small
reductions in blood pressure. Some studies have shown it to modestly
lower cholesterol levels, which is also a protection against cardiac
diseases. Animal experiments have associated garlic ingestion with
reduction in triglyceride and LDL cholesterol, both of which
contribute to atherosclerosis and heart diseases. Garlic, like
aspirin,can reduce the tendency ofblood to coagulate and form clots.
Many human studies on garlic have shown it has the ability to dissolve
blood clots. Pharmaceutical supplements are often used by patients
with cardiac and vascular diseases.
Garlic can reduce homocysteine levels in blood. This toxic compound
damages the cells that line the blood vessels, induces blood clots,
loss of cognition and causes death of nerve cells.People with dementia
and Alzheimer's disease have elevated blood homocysteine levels.
Damage to nerve cells in Alzheimer's disease is also due to elevated
oxidative stress induced by free radicals. By scavenging freeradicals,
garlic offers protection from neuronal death, dementia and Alzheimer's
disease.
Garlic is also called 'Russianpenicillin'. Fresh — but not stored or
cooked garlic — is an antimicrobial agent against a variety of
micro-organisms, including H. Pylori, implicated in gastriccancers.
Topical applicationof garlic is effective in treating ringworm. Many
studies have shown that garlic has antifungal and antiviral effects.
Adverse effects
Are there any adverse effects associated with taking garlic? In some,
it can cause mild stomach discomfort, especially when taken on an
empty stomach. Add garlic to meals or sprinkle it on pasta, soups or
even sambhar and chutneys. Swallow a clove of crushedgarlic with
water. The common side effect is "Garlicky Breath".
Since garlic is also a blood thinner, people who take aspirin should
be careful when including garlic regularly in their diets.
Alsodiscontinue garlic at least aweek before any surgery.
How much? One clove of medium-sized garlic daily provides health
boosting effects. Numerous over-the-counter supplements are available
as are enteric-coated tablets. Those who don't like the strong flavour
can try deodorised capsules. It is indeed the cornerstone of good
health.

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