For all the amazing health benefits of garlic – wouldn’t it be nice to know how to get the best benefits and stop wasting this superfood? Whether it’s eating, storing or cooking garlic – there are some things you need to know to get the best benefits.
Here are 8 amazing garlic hacks!
1.) You’re Eating It Way Too Soon – Garlic contains an enzyme “allinase” and “alliin” which converts to allicin when exposed to oxygen. This is the most highly prized component of garlic as it is a powerful antioxidant that also staves off infection. This process culminates between 5 and 15 minutes. Garlic that is raw is best eaten 15 minutes after it is crushed at room temperature. This is perfect because it can be crushed and set aside while you do other kitchen prep and then it can be eaten raw, on buttered toast or cooked into a meal. Waiting for the allicin enzyme reaction will even protect the benefits of garlic while cooking. Never, ever attempt to swallow garlic whole – each clove is about the same exact size as the human esophagus.
2.) You’re Storing It Wrong – Some people refrigerate garlic and some people leave it on the counter or on top of the fridge – but this is a terrible waste. Garlic is best stored in a mesh or ventilated bag and kept in a dark, cool and dry place. This way, it will keep for three to five months, saving your garlic and money.
3.) You’re Spending Hours Peeling It – There are easy ways to peel multiple garlic cloves at once. Smash the bulb with your palm, place in a jar with a lid or mixing bowl with some kind of lid and shake! shake! shake! You can also place cloves in a cup of hot water while you prep, and the peels will come right off. To peel just one clove, carefully press the flat side of a large knife over the clove and press to crush the skin.
Watch it in action and keep your fingernails clean:
4.) You’re Burning It – When cooking, garlic is among the first things to burn and you don’t want to eat burnt, blackened food. When sauteing, saute your onions or other goods first until nearly done, then add your sliced or crushed garlic. If using garlic in the oven – say, on roasted veggies with butter – try to either add garlic later or mix with butter and then mix into the other ingredients down into your casserole dish. Adding garlic last while cooking is good for flavor that will last long into leftovers.
5.) You’re Throwing It Out – It should be the rarest occasion to have to throw garlic away, especially if you’re storing it right. Garlic can be peeled, washed, and frozen for future use. The skins can be used in compost. But the biggest mistake people make (including myself!) is throwing it away when it starts to sprout. This doesn’t mean it has gone bad – some say the benefits multiply when it sprouts. But, if the sprouting bothers you, simply plant it!6.) You Smell Like It – There’s no need! Parsley, fennel seeds and peppermint essential oil can neutralize the smelly sulfur compounds that travel quickly through the body and out the lungs. Got garlic hands? Rub them on stainless steel. You can use your sink or this block.
The Healing Power Of Garlic Supported By New Scientific Study
Science is once again documenting much of what the natural health community has touted for ages. In this case, it’s the power of garlic to aid in healing even chronic infections.
Of course we at Natural Blaze have provided a veritable mountain of supporting evidence, both scientific and anecdotal, for the many amazing health benefits of garlic that include everything from killing infection to killing cancer. Nevertheless, we are always delighted when we read about new science that we can add to the database.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark have isolated a compound called ajoene that is believed to be the source of the powerful antibiotic properties produced in garlic. They are now studying exactly how ajoene functions when it interacts with bacteria.
