Can Garlic and Onions Reduce Blood Pressure and Cholesterol?
May 9, 2010 No CommentsGarlic and onions are considered to be 2 of the most highly pungent vegetables and their known benefit’s goes back for centuries. In Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, these vegetables were used to combat heart disease. Clay sculptures of garlic bulbs were even found in an Egyptian tomb – 3750BC!
Numerous scientific studies have concluded that preparations based on garlic and onion juice help decrease blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure. For instance – In a study carried out by ‘Kempaiah & Srinivasan’ (2004) a group of rats were fed a saturated fat diet. I.e. Lipids containing three fatty acids which are proven to increase atherosclerosis risk. ‘Kempaiah & Srinivasan’ found that by introducing a regular addition of garlic and onion to the diet the increased levels of blood triglycerides in the rats decreased significantly.
Diets rich in garlic helps to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) but also increases good cholesterol (HDL). Garlics powerful key ingredient – ‘allicin’ and ant-inflammatory properties helps lower blood pressure and inhibits bloods clots from forming, – hence decreasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The health properties in onions are equally beneficial in increasing and lowering bad and good cholesterol, and they also contain the compound ‘quercetin’ which has been found to be a potent compound in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
Eat garlic and onion raw to maximise their health benefits?
Raw (uncooked) onion and garlic contain the most powerful medicinal properties. Some of these properties are destroyed in the cooking process, so try to eat them raw and include them into your daily diet in their natural state. Some people couldn’t envisage consuming these wonderful bulbs raw, but if they were presented on pharmacy shelves – people would take more notice.
You can easily eat garlic raw by adding a few small thin slices to a salad toss it into your ready cooked stir-fry. If you don’t like the taste of raw garlic – you can always chop it to a pill size chunk and swallow it with a drink of water. Add sliced raw onions to your salad and sandwiches, (brilliant with grated cheese). You will soon wonder why you hadn’t tried them raw before.
How much garlic can I eat per day?
Ideally - one clove (not the whole bulb!) of raw garlic per day is a sufficient daily serving. Garlic should not be consumed in large quantities – particularly if you have a blood clotting disorder, too much will also result in bad tummy cramps.
