What Happens If You Eat Garlic In The Morning?
A pungent clove of garlic (Allium sativum) is not a very inviting thing to start your day with. But if you learn about the benefits you can reap, you may want to add it to your morning routine. In our daily lives, we never think much of garlic except more as a condiment that enhances the flavor of food. However, try looking for homemade remedies and you will also learn that it is the staple healing spice in many traditional treatments. But let’s see what happens if you eat garlic in the morning.
Why Eat Garlic In The Morning
Taking garlic on an empty stomach gives the body the chance to absorb its medicinal properties. It is true for nearly all forms of herbal remedies, including tinctures, as long as they don’t cause irritations.
The reason is that the digestive enzymes have slower activities before meals. It means that if you take garlic in the morning before a meal, it gets digested slowly, giving it time to break down. Thus, its medicinal properties are more concentrated and get absorbed by the body more efficiently.
If you are taking a medicinal plant, try this technique to improve the way it’s absorbed.
You can start with garlic, which is one of the most powerful. It is a well-known antibiotic and antioxidant spice and has the following research-backed uses in the herbal repertory:
Strengthen the Immune System
Garlic is a prebiotic that aids in the restoration of the gut flora. Since around 80% of the immune cells are in the gut, prebiotics are a great help in improving immune health. Eating fresh garlic early in the morning increases the body’s defensive system to protect it against diseases.
If you are always sick during the flu and cold season or for no reason at all, try adding more garlic to your diet. It is also best for fortifying yourself even if you are not sick, as a preventive measure.
It’s a Whole Body Antibiotic
A poultice of fresh garlic is traditionally used in treating local infections or in preventing skin punctures from getting infected. Garlic is also a useful antibiotic even for internal use. It is very effective in preventing and treating bacterial infection in its early stages.
I personally got rid of fungal infections for good by preparing garlic as instructed in The Holistic Guide to Wellness.
Prevents Hypertension
Garlic is a widely known antihypertensive herb that helps in thinning the blood and reducing the blood volume. It is due to the presence of allicin, a sulfur-containing compound, that gives it its therapeutic benefits. If you have a high blood pressure condition, take a clove or two of garlic before a meal. You can adjust the amount if you experience heartburn or acid reflux, which are common side effects of garlic.
Unlike other antihypertensive herbs, garlic will not lower the blood pressure too much when it reaches a plateau. However, you should not take it along with medication since it may boost the effect of medicine and reduce the BP to a dangerously low level.
Reduces Cholesterol
Eating half a clove of raw garlic before a heavy meal can decrease the cholesterol absorption and synthesis of fatty acids. It also aids in the reduction of serum cholesterol or the amount of cholesterol found in blood.
Garlic reduces the LDL cholesterol, or what is known as the bad cholesterol that may build up in the arteries, while it increases the good cholesterol. By managing the lipids, it reduces the chances of stroke especially in high-risk individuals.
Detoxifies the Body
Allicin possesses an excellent antioxidant property that removes free radicals that can harm the cells. Garlic may reduce the damage that is caused by oxidation, removing the toxic wastes. The process prevents the risk of chronic diseases and may delay the aging of the cells.
Protects the Heart
With its effectiveness in thinning the blood, reducing cholesterol and managing blood pressure, garlic may also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It prevents blood clots, improves blood circulation and supports the heart’s overall functions. Garlic is important in preventing the risk of heart attack.
Fights Viruses and Respiratory Problems
Viruses are the most common cause of illnesses that break down the immune defenses. Garlic provides an excellent antiviral property to prevent these pathogens from spreading. Take a cup of garlic infusion in the morning if you are down with the flu to help you feel better and well.
The antiviral properties of garlic are most useful in dispelling respiratory issues. It can treat bronchitis, cough, cold and other congestive bronchial problems. Treating the early stages can prevent the illness from getting worse.
Fights Parasites
Garlic is traditionally used as a purgative that gets rid of internal parasites like worms and amoeba. It is used in deworming children and works best when taken in the morning before food. Parasites are vulnerable on an empty stomach which makes it easier for the garlic compounds to kill these intruders and flush them away.
Treats Digestive Problems
As a prebiotic, garlic promotes the growth of good gut bacteria to prevent issues that affect the digestive tract.
If you have indigestion, IBS or GERD, take a clove of garlic on an empty stomach, or half a clove if it causes stomach irritation. If you have nausea and a sour stomach, you can try taking garlic as tea to ease the feeling.
Manages Blood Sugar Levels
Moderate amounts of garlic intake may help regulate blood sugar levels. It improves insulin sensitivity and is especially beneficial in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Garlic is being explored as a potential treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
How to Take Garlic In The Morning
Taking raw garlic optimizes the way it works in the body. But then again, its spicy and pungent smell – not to mention the bad breath that it causes – is not for anyone.
To make it more bearable, you can try this recipe which also helps lessen its acidity. The recipe uses honey, which balances its spicy and pungent flavor. Honey also boosts the effect of garlic with its own therapeutic benefits especially in supporting immune resistance and treating health problems.
Ingredients:
- 2 to 3 medium-sized garlic cloves
- ½ tsp honey
Steps:
- Roughly chop the garlic cloves and set aside for 10 minutes. It will allow garlic some time to release its beneficial enzymes.
- Place the chopped garlic in a spoon and lightly drizzle it with honey.
To Use:
Have the mixture every day before breakfast. Chew the garlic well before swallowing. If the flavor still overwhelms you, you can take a few sips of warm water with it.
If you want to prepare the mixture for a few more uses, you can just chop about 10 cloves of garlic. Put them in an airtight jar and add some honey, just enough to coat the garlic. Scoop out 1 tsp of the mixture and take it every morning.
Please note that if you experience skin outbreaks, headaches, or elevated temperature, stop eating raw garlic. You are likely allergic to its compounds and it won’t do you any good. However, you can still try taking garlic in other forms like teas, mixed with milk, or slip it into your meals.
One of the problems with garlic both raw and cooked other than breath is sweat. The next day after eating garlic my sweat smells like I rubbed raw garlic all over my body. I think that I eat a fair amount of garlic. I cook with fresh garlic, I put pickled garlic cloves on salads, I use powdered garlic almost as often as I use salt and pepper. I can deal with garlic breath. But how does one deal with garlic sweat?
If I eat raw garlic on an empty stomach I feel terrible sick and want to vomit, so I always take it after food.
How long does this garlic honey mixture retain its potency and last in the fridge?
Will you receive the same benefits with fermented garlic and honey? I have been preparing a jar of pealed garlic with honey and letting it ferment for 6 weeks and then eating a clove a day.
To get maximum benefits from the garlic, how long would I have to wait to eat?
What can I do to stop getting bloated and nauseous a few hours after eating garlic, this is when cooked in food.
I love garlic. This is something that just started a little over a year ago. So I avoid eating it. I would love to be able to it garlic.
Thank you,
Rita