How much do you know about the side effects of garlic on your brain? Garlic has been shown to improve memory, increase blood flow to the brain, and even help prevent cancer. This is because garlic contains many nutrients that are important for a healthy body.
It’s no wonder that this amazing food has so many benefits! In this blog post, we will discuss some surprising side effects that garlic has on the brain, as well as your overall health and wellbeing.
Garlic’s Benefits on the Brain
Garlic improves memory retention
Garlic is rich in antioxidants that are believed to provide protection for neurons in the brain by inhibiting free radical damage, or oxidative stress caused by harmful molecules like hydrogen peroxide. This means garlic can help prevent cognitive decline through old age.
In a study of Alzheimer’s Disease patients who took garlic supplements, memory retention improved compared to those not taking any medication at all. This suggests that regular intake of fresh garlic may help fight cognitive decline and improve mental health in old age.
Garlic keeps the brain from aging
Among the side effects that garlic has on the brain is that it keeps the brain from aging. This is due to the presence of allicin. Allicin is an active compound in garlic that has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are also linked to a decreased risk of dementia.
Another major compound found in garlic called S-allylcysteine (SAC) helps improve memory function by increasing blood flow to the brain. SAC has been shown in studies performed with animals and humans to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
This includes brain cells with major inflammatory activity such as microglia. These cells protect against foreign invaders but can become over excited under conditions of chronic inflammation and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases when they attack the body’s own brain tissue. They are also neuroenhancers that boost your memory when aging.
Garlic helps protect the brain from disease
Garlic has been known to have positive effects on the brain owing to its high concentration of antioxidants and other nutrients. It can help protect against Alzheimer’s, dementia, ADHD, depression, and even strokes.
Garlic contains allicin which counteracts damage caused by free radicals. This helps prevent dementia later on down the road. Eating garlic regularly helps protect synapses in the brain from oxidative stress.
The positive effects of garlic on the brain can’t be denied as it helps protect against common neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, which affect millions worldwide each year. This makes eating fresh garlic regularly an effective way to help ward off these conditions before they even start.
Other Benefits Of Consuming Garlic
Here are more benefits of adding garlic to your diet:
Garlic lowers the risk of developing lung cancer
According to Medical News Today, garlic has been found to lower the risk of developing lung cancer. It does this by increasing levels of enzymes that break down carcinogens in cigarette smoke and food, which in turn reduces cell damage.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, individuals who ate raw garlic every week or more had a 44 percent decreased risk of developing lung cancer.
The study’s researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with 1,424 lung cancer patients and 4,543 healthy people to see whether garlic consumption influences survival. They were also quizzed about their diet and lifestyle, including whether they smoke and how often they consume garlic.
A protective connection between raw garlic intake and lung cancer was discovered with a dose-response pattern, suggesting that garlic may be used as a chemopreventive agent for lung cancer.
Garlic protects the heart
Research done by professionals at Emory University School of Medicine discovered that diallyl trisulfide, a compound of garlic oil, protects the heart after someone has had a heart attack, and during cardiac surgery. Diallyl trisulfide, they suggest, might also be utilized to treat heart failure.
The heart has been found to be protected by hydrogen sulfide gas. This is, however, a volatile component that is difficult to administer as a medication.
As a result, the researchers focused on diallyl trisulfide, a component of garlic oil, as a safer means of delivering the benefits of hydrogen sulfide to the heart.
Reduced risk of prostate cancer
A study was conducted by doctors in Beijing, China, to see if there was a link between eating foods containing Allium and the risk of prostate cancer. They collected and analyzed data up until May 2013 and presented their results in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.
The researchers concluded that vegetables containing Allium, particularly garlic, are connected to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Since there are few studies on this matter, the researchers suggested that more prospective studies be conducted to corroborate their findings.
How To Get The Most Out Of Garlic
If you want to get the most out of garlic and experience all its benefits, it’s important that when cooking with fresh garlic, you let it sit for a few minutes before cooking so that more Allicin can be formed in your food.
Allicin is responsible for most of garlic’s healing properties and benefits to your brain. It has been shown that daily consumption of Allicin can help reduce blood pressure, lower bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol levels in people with hypertension, and even improve memory.
If you add crushed or chopped raw garlic into your food right away then much less Allicin will form because heat destroys many beneficial compounds in fresh veggies like garlic. However, if you wait five full minutes after crushing/chopping your cloves before adding them to heated foods (or letting them sit alone) then up to 100 times the amount of Allicin will form.
This means better health and more benefits for you. Another great way to get the most out of garlic is by eating it raw. The process of cooking can destroy many nutrients in veggies and fruits, but when consumed raw, they retain their full nutritional value making them even healthier than they would be if they were cooked.
So if you want to reap all the amazing side effects of garlic on your brain then eat it fresh or consume only lightly cooked dishes made with crushed or chopped ginger so that more Allicin can form during preparation.
This means garlic consumption which leads to better health and a stronger mind for everyone who wants to improve memory function, reduce blood pressure, lower bad cholesterol levels in people with hypertension, and prevent cancer just by consuming this powerful superfood every day.
The Negative Side Effects Of Garlic
Garlic contains many nutrients that are important for a healthy body. It’s no wonder that this amazing food has so many benefits such as the positive garlic side effects on the brain.
However, it is important to know that there are some side effects of garlic that you should be aware of.
The following list will provide you with a brief overview of what these might look like:
Garlic can cause a bad odor
When garlic is eaten or applied to the skin, it can cause a distinctly bad taste in your mouth and bad breath. This may be one of the effects that you do not want from eating this much-loved food.
Garlic breath and body odor are two negative side effects associated with consuming this flavorful vegetable. The foul smell comes from allyl methyl sulfide, which your body releases as it digests garlic. It is also responsible for the strong smell of gas released from those who eat too much garlic.
Too much garlic can damage the liver
Garlic can cause liver toxicity and in some cases, it could even lead to liver cancer. If you are suffering from liver disease, garlic should be avoided. When cells are exposed to allicin in garlic, they start producing chemicals called reactive oxygen species (ROS). These chemical substances can damage liver cells if the amount is too high.
Another way allicin can harm the liver is by inhibiting certain enzymes that are important for breaking down drugs. If you take a drug and your body doesn’t have enough of these enzymes to break it down, there could be harmful side effects from the medicine.
Allicin in garlic may keep those enzymes from working properly, leading to harmful effects. Garlic can also cause liver damage by causing oxidative stress and inflammation in the organ. Over time, this could lead to scarring of the liver or even cancer.
Indigestion and diarrhea
The active compounds in garlic are allicin and ajoene. These can irritate the stomach lining, causing indigestion or heartburn even if you eat just small amounts of raw garlic. The same holds true for cooking with fresh garlic; your body will struggle to digest it leading to gastric issues such as nausea or diarrhea.
People who have these issues should take a lower dosage or avoid consuming it completely. Garlic, when used correctly and moderately, however, is safe for most people to use without any side effects.
Garlic aggravates vaginal yeast infection
Garlic can irritate a vaginal yeast infection. Garlic is acidic in nature and when taken orally it can harm the vagina causing irritation leading to increased severity of infections.
Some people think that garlic can be beneficial in the treatment of vaginal yeast infection since it has some antifungal characteristics. However, this is not advisable as it may aggravate the fungal condition leading to adverse effects.
Garlic Herbal Supplements
Garlic is only harmful if taken in large quantities, but when consumed moderately, it has some great benefits. Here are some garlic supplements you can take if you need a sufficient dose of garlic in your diet:
BRI Nutrition Odorless Garlic
This soft gel delivers an optimal dose of yhe food supplement with no aftertaste or odor. You may use it to treat cardiovascular problems like high cholesterol, heart attack prevention, or high blood pressure. It also helps to detox the immune and digestive systems.
Only the best quality ingredients are used to produce this supplement, and production is done in GMP-compliant facilities in the United States. Each batch is put through a series of quality checks in the lab.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Allium Savitum (Garlic Bulb Extract) – 1000 mg
- Petroselinum Crispus (Parsley) – 200 mg
- Chlorophyll – 56 mcg
- Gelatin
- Purified Water
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Soybean Oil
- Silica
Kyolic Garlic Formula 100 Original Cardiovascular Formula
Immune system support, digestion assistance, inflammation relief, and detoxification are all benefits of aged garlic. It possesses antioxidant properties, making it a great source of support for overall health.
Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract is created from naturally cultivated garlic that has been aged for up to 20 months to improve nutritional content, eliminate the bad smell, and render it soothing on the stomach. Kyolic’s high-quality nutritional supplements begin with organic garlic that is whole, pure, and non-GMO.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Aged Garlic ExtractTM †† Powder (bulb): 600mg
- Gelatin
- Whey (dairy)
- Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source)
Odorless Garlic Softgels
The benefits of taking these supplements include support for your heart health and healthy circulation. They also help support healthy levels of cholesterol keeping them in a range that is normal.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Odorless Garlic – 2,400 mg
- Sunflower Oil and/or Safflower Oil
- Gelatin
- Vegetable Glycerin
Conclusion
Including garlic in your diet can be beneficial, but it’s important to be aware of the side effects too so you can take the necessary precautions if they arise. Also, make sure that you’re aware of what symptoms to look for if you’ve consumed garlic in excessive quantities and notice any changes in your health.
There are some positive side effects that garlic has on the brain, but there are also some negative effects of overconsumption. If you or someone else is experiencing adverse symptoms after consuming garlic, it’s important to call a doctor right away so they can be properly diagnosed.
Being proactive about the side effects of garlic can help ensure that this amazing food continues to bring all its benefits.
References
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Sripanidkulchai, Bungorn. “Benefits of aged garlic extract on Alzheimer’s disease: Possible mechanisms of action.” Experimental and therapeutic medicine vol. 19,2 (2020): 1560-1564. doi:10.3892/etm.2019.8390
Watson, Ronald R, and Victor R Preedy. Bioactive Foods In Promoting Health. Academic Press, 2010, pp. 729-737.
Zhou, Xiao-Feng, et al. “Allium Vegetables and Risk of Prostate Cancer: Evidence from 132,192 Subjects.” Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, vol. 14, no. 7, Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention, 30 July 2013, pp. 4131–4134.
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