Apart from being a cooking spice, garlic has also been researched to contain anti-diabetic properties. What are the medical facts? Garlic is a mandatory spice for some people because it can provide a savory taste. These onions can even be a salt substitute for those trying to reduce sodium levels.
Garlic is also known to be beneficial for health. For example, it lowers blood pressure, has antitumor effects, prevents the growth of cancer cells, and has strong antibacterial and antifungal effects.
Apart from that, garlic is also believed to be beneficial for diabetes sufferers. What are the facts?
Garlic Nutritional Content
Garlic is known as a natural ingredient with good nutritional content. Reporting from Very Well Fit, 1 clove of raw garlic (3 grams) contains:
1. Calories: 4.5
2. Sodium: 5 gram
3. Carbohydrates: 1 gram
4. Fiber: 1 gram
5. Protein: 2 gram
Apart from that, garlic also contains vitamin C and manganese.
Benefits of Garlic for Diabetes
According to Doctors, garlic is known to help maintain a healthy heart and blood vessels.
Heart disease itself is a condition that affects around 80 percent of diabetes sufferers.
It is known that the allicin content , which is the active ingredient in garlic, can act as an antidiabetic and antibiotic.
“However, research that garlic can reduce blood sugar in humans requires further research. Because, currently it only works on mice. “So it is possible that in the future there is hope that garlic could be an alternative therapy,”.
Reporting from Healthline, a 2006 study found that raw garlic can help lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.
Although it is still being researched, a 2014 study also supports these findings.
It is said that regular consumption of garlic can help lower blood sugar levels.
Garlic also contains vitamin C. This vitamin is known to play a role in maintaining blood sugar levels.
Tips for Eating Garlic for Diabetics
For diabetics, you can try consuming 1-4 cloves of raw garlic per day.
“Try a little first and see if there are any side effects or not. For example, headaches, itching, or red rashes on the skin. “Because there are side effects of garlic if consumed too much,”.
Especially if you have stomach ulcers, garlic can trigger stomach acid production.
Apart from that, in other conditions, garlic consumption also needs to be considered. For example, for diabetes sufferers who have other conditions, such as heart disease or stroke, who require blood thinning medication (warfarin).
“You have to be careful because this condition can increase the risk of bleeding. “So, if you have other medical conditions besides diabetes, you should consult a doctor first,”.
Meanwhile, information from Healthline suggests leaving chopped garlic for at least five minutes, so that the allicin is at its highest concentration.
That way, the health benefits of consuming garlic can potentially increase.
