Foodlore Library

Garlic’s age-old cautionary tale has withstood the test of time. People continue to be wary of the time of day and the company within which they eat this tiny yet incredibly potent vegetable. Ordering a dish with too-large of a serving of garlic is the number one “no-no” on a date, and if you do decide to dine with this ingredient present, you better be sure you have some after-dinner mints in your clutch.

Yes, it’s true; garlic packs quite the punch in its petite little package. But what’s the harm in that? Truly, I don’t see what all of the fuss is all about.

Just like spaghetti is messy and chopsticks are hard to master, any food with garlic in it is well worth the stinky breath if you have right attitude about it. In fact, garlic is one of the healthiest foods you can incorporate into your diet.

Garlic was nicknamed the “wonder drug” some time ago when it was discovered to have treated numerous ailments, including acne, high cholesterol, and infections, to name just a few. This reputation dates back further than the Middle Ages, when garlic was supposedly responsible for curing some cases of the Plague. Since the vegetable acquired its medicinal claim-to-fame, it has been used as a household and herbal medicine for all kinds of sicknesses all around the world.

The pungent smell that garlic gives off, believe it or not, is there for more reasons than to just crinkle the noses of its consumers. When garlic is crushed or diced, a sulfur compound called allicin is released, which causes the strong scent. That lovely odor you smell when you crack open a clove is actually the source of all the health benefits that can be yours by eating garlic.

Garlic has had its most positive effect on people with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Some medical studies have found that adding one small clove of garlic to any daily meal plan can drastically affect how successfully a person can control their hypertension. Studies also show that garlic is a main ingredient in the fight to maintain a healthy heart. Garlic has proven to be effective in combating acne, and the allicin it contains has been widely accepted for its anti-bacterial properties due to its success with fighting off small infections, such as the common cold. A small portion of the “wonder drug” in your daily food can have bigger effects on your health than you may have thought, and the tasty bite it carries with it isn’t too bad either.

As always, moderation is key when you are planning to introduce something new into your diet. Taking in too much garlic can negatively affect your digestive system, as well as force your closest friends to maintain a three-foot perimeter around you. But if you are combating the common cold, throw two or three cloves into your dinner dish and the antioxidants released in your cooking should have you feeling better by the following day. As with almost any food, you will retain more of the nutrients if you eat it raw; however, if you are careful with the amount of oil you cook the garlic in, you’ll still preserve enough of its nutrients to make it a smart and delicious addition to your meals.

So, is all the hype about garlic’s pungent smell really enough to deter us from this wonder-vegetable? Unless you forget your after-dinner mints, you shouldn’t worry too much about the garlic in your delicious meal. It’s definitely flavorsome, and with all of the strength it packs into its little bite, it would be a shame not to enjoy all that garlic has to offer.

Garlic: Friend or Foe?

11 Jun 2009 at 04:08 pm

By Mindy Moreland

• Plants
• Garlic

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