Garlic Powder
Product code: S4
Garlic powder is a spice that is derived from dehydrated garlic and used in cooking for flavor enhancement. The process of making garlic powder includes drying and dehydrating the vegetable, then powdering it through machinery or home-based appliances depending on the scale of production. Garlic powder is a common component of spice mix.
- Properties
- Nutrition
Garlic contains compounds with potent medicinal properties
Garlic is a plant in the Allium (onion) family. It is closely related to onions, shallots, and leeks. Each segment of a garlic bulb is called a clove. There are about 10–20 cloves in a single bulb, give or take. Garlic grows in many parts of the world and is a popular ingredient in cooking, due to its strong smell and delicious taste. However, throughout ancient history, the main use of garlic was for its health and medicinal properties. Scientists now know that most of garlic’s health benefits are caused by sulfur compounds formed when a garlic clove is chopped, crushed, or chewed.
Garlic can help protect against illness, including the common cold
Garlic supplements are known to boost the function of the immune system. A large, 12-week study found that a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% compared with a placebo. The average length of cold symptoms was also reduced by 70%, from 5 days in the placebo group to just 1.5 days in the garlic group.
The active compounds in garlic can reduce blood pressure
Cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke are responsible for more deaths than almost any other condition. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most important factors that may lead to these diseases. Human studies have found garlic supplements to have a significant impact on reducing blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. In one study, 600–1,500 mg of aged garlic extract were just as effective as the drug Atenolol at reducing blood pressure over a 24-week period.
Garlic improves cholesterol levels, which may lower the risk of heart disease
Garlic can lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol. For those with high cholesterol, garlic supplements appear to reduce total and LDL cholesterol by about 10–15%. Looking at LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol specifically, garlic appears to lower LDL but has no reliable effect on HDL.
Garlic contains antioxidants that may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Oxidative damage from free radicals contributes to the aging process. Garlic contains antioxidants that support the body’s protective mechanisms against oxidative damage. High doses of garlic supplements have been shown to increase antioxidant enzymes in humans, as well as significantly reduce oxidative stress in people with high blood pressure.
Garlic may help you live longer
The potential effects of garlic on longevity are basically impossible to prove in humans. But given the beneficial effects on important risk factors like blood pressure, it makes sense that garlic could help you live longer. The fact that it can fight infectious diseases is also an important factor, because these are common causes of death, especially in the elderly or people with dysfunctional immune systems.
Athletic performance might be improved with garlic supplements
Garlic was one of the earliest “performance enhancing” substances. It was traditionally used in ancient cultures to reduce fatigue and improve the work capacity of laborers. Most notably, it was given to Olympic athletes in ancient Greece.
Eating garlic may help detoxify heavy metals in the body
At high doses, the sulfur compounds in garlic have been shown to protect against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity. A 4-week study in employees at a car battery plant (who had excessive exposure to lead) found that garlic reduced lead levels in the blood by 19%. It also reduced many clinical signs of toxicity, including headaches and blood pressure.
Garlic may improve bone health
No human studies have measured the effects of garlic on bone loss. However, rodent studies have shown that it can minimize bone loss by increasing estrogen in females.
Garlic is easy to include in your diet and adds flavor
The last one is not a health benefit but is still important. Garlic is very easy to include in your current diet. It complements most savory dishes, particularly soups and sauces. The strong taste of garlic can also add a punch to otherwise bland recipes. Garlic comes in several forms, from whole cloves and smooth pastes to powders and supplements like garlic extract and garlic oil. A common way to use garlic is to press a few cloves of fresh garlic with a garlic press, then mix it with extra virgin olive oil and a bit of salt. This works as a very simple and nutritious salad dressing.
Principle | Nutrient Value/100 gr | Unit |
|---|---|---|
Calories | 331 | Kcal |
Protein | 16.6 | gr |
Total Fat | 0.73 | gr |
Total Carbohydrates | 72.7 | gr |
Dietary Fiber | 9 | gr |
Sugars | 2.43 | gr |
Potassium | 1190 | mg |
Sodium | 60 | mg |
Cholesterol | 0 | mg |
Calcium | 79 | mg |
Salt | 0.15 | gr |
Ash | 3.54 | gr |
