BEST WAYS TO CONSUME GARLIC

Garlic has earned a reputation for being a great health supplement for the numerous benefits it offers. Though this herb is effective in all the forms, whether cooked, raw or crushed, patients can derive maximum benefits from it by consuming it in the most appropriate form. Here are the best ways to consume garlic for optimum anti-cancer benefits: 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO 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.”

WHY SHOULD YOU 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.

WHY IS COOKING 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.

FREEZING GARLIC
The different ways to freeze garlic are mentioned below:
• Chop the garlic cloves into fine pieces and wrap them tightly in a plastic wrap or a freezer bag and get it stored in the freezer. To use, break off or grate the amount needed.

• Garlic cloves can be frozen in their whole form without peeling them. The cloves can be removed as and when needed.

• The cloves can be peeled and then put in a food processor or a blender to make a puree by combining one part of garlic with two parts of oil. The puree can stay soft enough in the freezer. The parts of it can be scraped out whenever needed.

Freezing garlic does not destroy its anti-cancer properties. Though garlic is easily available in almost all parts of the world, these tips can come in handy for those cancer patients who would like to get the best quality of cloves and store them for future use.

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.

Source Of Information : Garlic: A Great Anti-Cancer Agent