Fresh garlic is a pungent delight that can jazz up any meal, from hearty winter stews to sautéed vegetables on a bed of healthy grains. Allicin, the compound that gives crushed garlic its distinctive smell, protects the plant from pests and offers humans many health benefits, acting as an antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent; improving gut balance; and supporting cardiovascular and immune health.

Research published last year in Nutrition Reviews indicates that consumption of garlic significantly improves key cardiovascular risk markers, including cholesterol and blood sugar levels, blood pressure, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. In a 2022 article, the Cleveland Clinic suggests that red blood cells respond to the sulfur in garlic by creating nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide gases, which relax and expand blood vessels. A 2019 meta-analysis of clinical trials published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine concludes that supplementation with an aged garlic extract offers similar results to blood pressure-lowering medications. While more research is needed to understand the full-spectrum potential of this kitchen staple, regularly spicing up meals with a clove or two can foster better health.

Maximizing Benefits and Flavor

Mincing, grating or pressing garlic intensifies its pungency, waking up ordinary steamed vegetables when tossed with olive oil or spicing up homemade hummus. Whether regular grocery store-bought, traditional heirloom or locally grown, garlic offers benefits, but following a few easy tips ensures that its nutritious perks remain intact.

According to Natalie Ledesma, a board-certified oncology dietitian and the founder of Natalie Ledesma Integrative & Functional Nutrition Consulting, in San Francisco, it is best to allow chopped or crushed garlic to sit for about 10 minutes before consuming it, cooking with it or adding it to vinaigrettes or other salad dressings. This waiting period maximizes the formation of allicin. Notably, the acidic nature of vinegar or lemon juice compromises allicin’s stability.

“If you compare raw garlic to garlic that has been cooked by various methods, you can see dramatic drops in allicin, one of the purported active ingredients,” advises Dr. Michael Greger, founding member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and author of several national bestsellers, including How Not to Die, The How Not to Die Cookbook and How Not to Age.

If garlic must be cooked, he suggests roasting to retain vital qualities that are quickly lost through simmering, high-heat stir-frying and boiling. “It is simple to prepare and can be used to add flavor to almost any dish,” he explains. “After roasting the garlic, you can also puree it in a blender or food processor until smooth, then portion and freeze it for future use.” A head of roasted garlic yields about one-and-a-half to two tablespoons of a delicious paste, which can be slathered on warm bread or sandwiches, whipped into zesty dips, and stirred into creamy mashed potatoes or a bowl of pasta.

“There are other beneficial compounds in garlic that are not deactivated by heat. They include ajoene, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide and S-allyl cysteine, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting benefits,” advises Dr. Joel Fuhrman, a board-certified family physician, president of the Nutritional Research Foundation and author of several bestsellers, including his Eat to Live Cookbook.

Hacks for Sensitive Bellies and General Tips

Garlic should be avoided by anyone on pharmaceutical or herbal blood thinners. For those that experience stomach or intestinal upset, Ledesma suggests removing the green sprout inside the garlic clove, a prime culprit for indigestion, or eating only the garlic scapes (the curly green flower stalks that grow on the garlic plant), which are generally well-tolerated.

For less discomfort and added convenience, Fuhrman endorses dehydrated raw garlic granules, noting that they will soften, expand and partially cook when sprinkled over veggies as they are steamed in a pot, enhancing its digestibility.

When purchasing garlic, choose intact heads that are firm to the touch, have plump cloves and do not have a strong odor of garlic—an indication of damage and loss of vital benefits. After chopping or peeling, rubbing cutting boards and hands with fresh lemon juice will remove the pungent garlic aroma. ❧

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.

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