When it comes to cooking, garlic is definitely a crowd favorite. Its pungent aroma and umami taste is a must-have in almost all types of dishes. Did you know that the major biological component that makes garlic stand out is called Allicin? Every time you crush a clove of garlic, this organic sulfur compound is released in an oily, slightly yellow liquid that gives garlic its unique smell. But aside from this, allicin also plays a major role in making garlic therapeutic. In fact, the medicinal activity in garlic is best measured by its Allicin content.
Here are four reasons why we, at Trinity Care think that garlic is the new superfood for elders:
- It Reduces High Blood Pressure
Garlic is widely known as food that can be used for blood pressure control. As we grow older, we are more prone to have hypertension which is why changing our diets and preparing more dishes with garlic can definitely help. Most doctors recommend consuming at least 1 clove daily to regulate blood pressure.
- It is an Anticancer
Numerous population studies reported that garlic has a great role in cancer prevention especially in relation to digestive tract cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute, these studies showed that the higher the amount of raw and cooked garlic consumed, the lower the risk of stomach and colorectal cancer. And this was thought to be due to the antioxidant effect of allicin in reducing the formation of carcinogenic compounds in the gastrointestinal tract.
- It is an Antioxidant
Cell damage due to free radicals is common among aging adults. These free radicals oxidize cells throughout our body in a process called oxidative stress and the damage they cause is similar to that of rust on metals. To get rid of free radicals, we need vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that will fight oxidation which are collectively known as antioxidants. How does garlic work as an antioxidant? According to a Journal of Medicinal Food, there are four antioxidant properties in garlic compounds. These are allyl cysteine, alliin, allicin, and allyl disulfide. The findings of this study showed that each compound exhibits different patterns of antioxidant activities that protects us from free radical damage.
- It is Anti-microbial
Garlic can also be a natural antibiotic. The component Allicin present in garlic is also found to be a antimicrobial agent against the bacterias, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In their studies, Jaya Prakash and colleagues at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois discovered that microgram quantities of allicin were sufficient to significantly inhibit the growth of VRE.
Although garlic generally poses little in terms of safety issues, it is imperative that we practice safe garlic consumption and generally, other types of food. We have to remember that our elder’s body requirements are no longer the same when they were younger. Thus, taking care of them involves serious attention in choosing their foods.
So, if you need professional care services for your loved ones, don’t hesitate to visit us at Trinity Care Adult Day Care Center in Morrow Georgia. We provide a coordinated program of professional and compassionate services for adults in a community-based group setting. Our services are designed to provide social and health related services to adults who need supervised care in a safe place outside the home during the day. For more information, please contact us at 770-703-6721 to develop a customized plan of care based on your loved one’s medical condition.
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Blogs, content and other media uploaded online are for informational purposes only. Contents on this website should not be considered medical advice. Readers are strongly encouraged to visit their physician for health-related issues.
