CHOP OR CRUSH GARLIC
The latest scientific
research has proved that chopping, slicing, pressing or mincing garlic before
cooking can increase its health-promoting action. Allicin, a
sulfur-based
compound,
and an enzyme, Alliinase, are present in the cell structure of whole garlic separated from each
other. When the garlic cloves are cut, sliced or crushed, the cells are ruptured causing
release of these compounds, allowing them to come in contact with each other and react
to form a powerful new compound that is called Allicin. It should be noted that it is
Allicin that adds to the health-promoting benefits of garlic.
Hence, chopping or
crushing the garlic cloves finely can help in obtaining more of Allicin. Pressing
or mincing garlic into a smooth paste can also give a very strong flavor and
also result in an increased release of Allicin. Hence, experts advise people to
consume garlic after crushing, slicing, mincing or pressing them.
A point to remember: “the stronger the
pungent smell after crushing, the better are the anti-cancer benefits of
garlic.”
WAIT FOR 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE CONSUMING CRUSHED GARLIC?
To obtain the maximum
health benefits from garlic, it’s important to allow it to sit for at least 5
to 10 minutes, after cutting and before cooking and eating. This waiting period
of 5-10 minutes gives enough time for the health-promoting Allicin to be
released. If the cloves are consumed immediately after crushing, the level of
Allicin formed is nil or too low, and so are the benefits. Hence, it is worth
the wait.
COOKING IS NOT THE BEST WAY TO CONSUME
GARLIC
Heating garlic can
deactivate the enzymes responsible for the formation and release of Allicin.
However, the Allicin
content can be increased and preserved if Garlic is allowed to sit for 5-10
minutes before cooking and later, the cooking is done on a low to medium flame
for less than 15 minutes.
Cooking on a short
flame will prevent the destruction of Allicin and also make it more resistant
to destruction. However, most often, when garlic is added to any dish, it is
cooked for a time longer than 15 minutes resulting in the destruction of
Allicin. Hence, experts do not recommend cooking as an effective method of
consuming garlic for its anti-cancer benefit.
Cooking of garlic for
a longer time also causes a loss of nutrients of this amazing medicinal herb.
While cooking
for 10-15 minutes causes a minimal loss of nutrients; cooking it for about 15 to 30
minutes can result in moderate loss of the nutrients. Allowing garlic to cook for more than 45
minutes can reduce its nutrient content substantially.
The best properties
of garlic become active when it is used in the ways described above.
Having said that; it
doesn’t mean that the other ways of consuming it are not effective. It only
means that the benefits obtained from its whole form are not as effective as
those obtained from its crushed form. Patients with cancer are advised to keep
these points in mind to take maximum advantages of the medicinal properties of
garlic.
There is no suspicion
that garlic is a highly effective medicinal herb. Though it was primarily used
for lowering cholesterol levels and for protecting the heart from
life-threatening conditions like a cardiac failure and heart attacks. This herb
has gone beyond that and proved to be effective in combating cancer as well.
Garlic helps in the
treatment and prevention of cancer by acting on the free radicals and destroying
them with its antioxidant action. It also kills the bacteria and fungi that can
cause cancer and also prevent the further growth of the cancer cells by
inhibiting angiogenesis. Garlic modifies the inflammatory response of the
immune system to ensure there is no damage to the tissues and cells in the
body, which is just another action of this herb for preventing the development
of cancer. In
short, it acts in some ways to safeguard the healthy organs from the cancer-causing
and cancer-promoting processes and toxins.
Garlic can be used in
the treatment of cancer of different organs including the breasts, the brain
and the soft tissues like the bones and the muscles. It can also be used for
the prevention and treatment of cancers in the digestive tract involving the
esophagus, the stomach, the colon and the rectum. It is very important that
garlic is used in the ways that result in the extraction of the maximum of its
anti-cancer properties. Patients are advised to eat crushed garlic cloves to
obtain optimum results in a much less time. Alternatively, they can also use
garlic supplements that offer benefits similar to that of crushed garlic.
Garlic can be used in
the treatment of cancer of different organs including the breasts, the brain
and the soft tissues like the bones and the muscles. It can also be used for
the prevention and treatment of cancers in the digestive tract involving the
esophagus, the stomach, the colon and the rectum. It is very important that
garlic is used in the ways that result in the extraction of the maximum of its
anti-cancer properties. Patients are advised to eat crushed garlic cloves to
obtain optimum results in a much less time. Alternatively, they can also use
garlic supplements that offer benefits similar to that of crushed garlic.
Today, cancer is no
more considered to be a life-threatening disease. Scientists have been successful
in their research and studies aimed at finding the cure for cancer. The recent development
of the medical science has made cancer a curable disorder with a better survival
rate. The number of patients recovering completely and leading a normal life
after a successful cancer treatment with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery,
in some cases, has shown a steady rise in the last few decades.
The number of cancer
survivors can increase further if these conventional treatments are coupled
with the use of nature’s herbs like garlic. It can help prevent the growth and spread
of cancer and also enhance the results of the conventional treatments. Patients
can contact a cancer specialist to learn more about the medicinal properties of
garlic and how to use this herb for managing cancer in a more effective way.
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