Happy National Garlic Day!

Yes, you read that right, today, April 19th, is the day to add some extra flavor (and health benefits) to your diet. According to the Cleveland Clinic, garlic is known to boost immunity, improve heart health, clear skin, and have anti-inflammatory properties.

So, why is garlic so good for you?

Garlic contains bioactive compounds such as allicin, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and vitamins – all responsible for the therapeutic properties.

Is it better to eat raw or cooked garlic?

There are beneficial properties in both cooked and raw garlic, but some experts recommend raw garlic to get the most benefit.

What about garlic supplements?

Most nutritionists agree that raw garlic is superior to supplements. A 2020 study from NCBI found that commercial supplement formulations give 26–109% lower bioavailability, meaning the body is less able to absorb the nutrients.

What are some healthy options to add garlic to your diet?

Adding garlic to a meal can be easy and delicious! Eating Well nutrition experts recommend healthy recipes like Honey-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Broccoli, Garlic-Butter Roasted Salmon with Potatoes & Asparagus, One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Spinach,  and Tinola (Filipino Ginger-Garlic Chicken Soup). For some easier options, you can add it to your tacos, soups, pasta, or hummus. Christopher Gardner, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center recommends garlic be added to your consumption of healthy dishes. Garden explains “If you choose garlic fries as a cholesterol-lowering food, then you blew it. The garlic doesn’t counteract the fries. There’s no shortcut. You achieve good health through eating healthy food. There isn’t a pill or an herb you can take to counteract an unhealthy diet.”

Which other spices are beneficial to your health?

Registered Dietician Kerri-Anne Jennings believes that turmeric, ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, peppermint, oregano, pepper and rosemary are among 9 of the world’s healthiest spices and herbs. Their benefits include disease prevention, immunity, lower blood sugar, and increased metabolism.

It looks like tasty, healthy food is just what the doctor ordered!