Garlic / ail is a vegetable that has been used all over the world for thousands of years. Records indicates that it was even present during ancient Egypt when the Giza pyramids were built, 5000 years ago. In ancient Greece during the original Olympics, athletes were given garlic / ail, many still debates why but some say this could indicate an early example of “performance enhancing” agents in sports. Throughout the middle east, East Asia and Nepal, the vegetable has been used to treat conditions such as bronchitis, hypertension, tuberculosis, liver disorders, and much more.

Benefits

• Helps protect against illnesses such as common cold.

Garlic / ail was found to be able to improve the immune system against diseases such as the common cold. A study performed during 12 weeks showed that garlic supplements reduced the number of cold by 63%. The study also found that the average length of cold symptoms was also reduced by 70%, from 5 days to 1.5 days.

• Contains active compounds that can reduce blood pressure

Cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks are responsible for more deaths than any other conditions. There symptoms like high blood pressure can be reduced by consuming garlic / ail. A study done showed that aged garlic / ail extracts were as effective as Atenolol a drug commonly used for the treatment of high blood pressure. However, it is important to note that one must intake a fairly high amount of garlic / ail to get the desired effects.

• Improves cholesterol levels

Garlic / ail can help reduce the levels of LDL also known as bad cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol, consuming it has been shown to reduce the total amount of cholesterol by 10-15%. A reduced level in bad cholesterol can help prevent the risks of heart diseases.

How to store

The best way to store garlic / ail at home is to keep them at room temperature in a mesh bag. Keep them in a dry and dark place.