The Benefits of Adding Garlic to Cooking in Boosting Immunity

SadaNews - Garlic powder is usually sprinkled on pizza or used to season grilled chicken, and it's rich in flavor, but this spice also has some health benefits that may surprise long-time users.

This powder, made from dried and ground garlic cloves, is a rich source of essential minerals, such as iron, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. All of these positively affect bone health and work together to maintain the body's strength, according to the British newspaper, The Independent.

Kate Patton, a registered dietitian for Cleveland Clinic, stated: "Phosphorus and calcium work together to support essential bodily functions, such as building strong bones, maintaining muscle functions, and keeping nerves healthy."

Garlic powder also contains selenium, an essential mineral that supports thyroid health and reproduction and may help people with chronic asthma.

It also provides protection against oxidative stress when the body does not have enough antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances found in foods that can prevent damage to our cells and DNA.

Registered dietitian Kayla Kopp stated: "Selenium is known to reduce the risk of cancer because it helps repair DNA damage that occurs in our bodies."

Vitamins and Other Compounds

Garlic contains a chemical compound known as allicin, which is a yellow liquid that researchers claim has antioxidant properties.

Dietitian Laura Jeffers stated: "Garlic gets its pungent smell from an organic sulfur compound called allicin. This compound makes garlic a healthy addition to your diet."

Some research has indicated that it may help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.

Garlic powder also contains vitamins, as is the case with fresh garlic, including vitamin B6 and vitamin C.

Vitamin B6 is important for brain growth and maintaining the balance of the nervous system, and both vitamin B6 and vitamin C help maintain a healthy immune system. However, garlic powder contains only a small fraction of the vitamins found in regular garlic.

Source: Independent