Did you know that you can use garlic for weight loss?
Garlic is very popular, found in practically every world cuisine and every kitchen. Well, besides flavor, it also has certain properties that make it perfect for weight loss. Garlic is excellent for those who want to lose weight and get healthier. It does everything from reducing stress levels to healing bacterial infections!
Medicinal uses of garlic
Garlic has many different applications in natural medicine. It works as an antibiotic, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and regulates insulin. It’s also has been used to treat toxoplasmosis, heart issues, atherosclerosis, rheumatism, and complications of diabetes.
However, in large quantities, it’s counterproductive for people with bleeding problems because it is an anticoagulant. It could also cause stomach irritation. Still, like we said, its medicinal uses are numerous and quite varied. The following are other health issues and conditions that can benefit from garlic:
- Intestinal infections
- Hemorrhoids
- Chilblains, warts, and corns
- Oral herpes
- Stress and insomnia
- Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and thrombosis
- Gout
- Fever
- Edema
- Anemia
Raw or cooked?
If you want to use garlic for weight loss, it will work both raw and cooked. When it’s mashed or pressed, allicin is released, which is known for its antibiotic, hypoglucemic, and antioxidant effects. When its’ cooked, it releases adenosene and ajoene. These elements have anti-clotting effects and can also help control high cholesterol.
As garlic for weight loss, it improves digestion, since it increases the secretion of stomach acid. It also keeps your blood sugar under control and removes toxins and excess fluids from your body.
Likewise, it regulates cortisol production (a stress-related hormone related) and helps your blood flow like it should. These special abilities are all fundamental for anyone who wants to lose weight.
Garlic for weight loss: what the studies say
Patricio Lopez, director of research at the University of Santander and Complutense University of Madrid, explains that garlic possesses heart-protective properties. Thus, it’s a good way to prevent diabetes, heart attack, and heart disease.
Lopez directed a study called “Aged Garlic Extract Improves Adiponectin Levels in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome.” It studied 47 people: women with a waist circumference at least 80 cm and men with a waist of at least 90 cm.
For 4 months, one group consumed aged garlic and the other consumed placebos. The following was found in the group that consumed garlic:
- Increased levels of the hormone adiponectin, which protects the heart.
- Significantly lower levels of cholesterol.
- Quicker weight loss.
Garlic stimulates your metabolism
If you want to lose weight, garlic should be your best friend. First of all, it will inhibit your appetite, keep you feeling full longer, and keep you from overeating.
In addition, and perhaps most importantly, garlic is also in charge of speeding up your metabolism. How? Well, it makes your nervous system produce more adrenaline. That means your body will burn more calories, which indeed is useful for losing weight.
Tips: using garlic for weight loss
If your goal is to lose weight by using garlic, combine 1 teaspoon of olive oil with 1 mashed, raw garlic clove. Consume every morning at least a half hour before breakfast.
Another option: mix 1 mashed, raw garlic clove with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 cup of hot water. If you drink this mixture every day apart from meals, you’ll see changes in your body. As you’ve seen, garlic is very powerful and perfect for healthy weight loss. However, that’s not all: it is also good for your body in many other ways.
That said, garlic isn’t a miracle cure. It should be combined with a balanced diet and exercise if you want to lose weight the right way. If you have any questions, seek advice from a nutritionist or other expert.
Via: VeryWellFit | BrainyWeightLoss
