Its health benefits range from decreasing the risk of heart disease to protection against certain medical conditions. Here are some of them:
Garlic contains anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation plays a significant role in causing heart attacks and strokes and contributing to high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis pain.
1
Garlic improves blood circulation
Garlic is beneficial for reducing the risk of certain diseases. People who consumed garlic regularly experienced a 50% improvement in their blood circulation levels.
2
Garlic contains antibacterial properties
Garlic contains allicin, an organic compound shown to have antibacterial properties. Allicin is created when garlic cells are crushed or chopped.
3
Can you eat too much garlic?
Yes — you can. Although most of these issues are uncommon or not serious enough, there are some side effects of eating too much garlic:
Digestive issues
Garlic can cause digestive problems, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Bloating and diarrhea are symptoms that can be expected.
1
Increased bleeding
Although this is relatively uncommon, consuming too much garlic can increase the risk of bleeding. This is because garlic contains antithrombotic agents, which prevent blood clots.
2
Tips to fix too much garlic in food
This is a common problem for people who generously use garlic on their dishes, as it can be hard to add just enough of it. There are several ways to fix it:
Add onion
This trick is useful because onions go well with many different dishes, so you don’t have to worry about spoiling the taste of your food. You can add onion to balance garlic in foods like soups, stews, and stir-fries.
1
Add herbs
Herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil, cilantro, and parsley would do a great job countering too much garlic. Go for a minimal approach and use these herbs in moderation.
2
Add acidic ingredients
Adding acidic ingredients to counter too much garlic is a common practice. Vinegar, lime juice, and lemon are the most popular choices.
3
Sweeten the taste
You can also opt for using sweeteners to counter too much garlic. Honey, maple syrup, and sugar might be the ones you need for this.
4
Dilute it
Diluting your dish is a great way to make it more flavorful, even without a garlic problem on your hands. The added juice will counter the bitter taste of garlic.
5
Heat it up
If you don’t have access to other ingredients, overcooking your food is a great option to counter too much garlic.
6
Cream it
Adding cream might not be the best option for most dishes, but you can still try it with pasta, chicken, potatoes, or sauces.
7
Remove the garlic
If you added garlic in large chunks or large cloves, you always have the option of simply removing some of them. Take a bite of your food and see if you added too much garlic.
8
Final thoughts
Adding just the right amount of garlic might be challenging, as your food might become bitter with the overpowering taste of garlic. Yet, there are some tips that might come in handy.