Is Garlic Bad For You?
Also Known As: Allium sativum
Short answer
Garlic is not bad for you. Although there are times when excessive amounts of garlic pose health risks, garlic is good for the overall wellness of the body. Most doctors recommend adding garlic to your regular diet for its health benefits.
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Garlic has been used since ancient times as a remedy for ailments, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It has also been used as a way to neutralize bacteria in open cuts wounds, and can be a short-term, natural substitution for penicillin.
The reason garlic can do all of these things is because of its antibacterial property, created by the chemical allicin. This naturally occurring antibiotic is what lends garlic its potent smell. The antibacterial properties of garlic are useful for preventing hardening of the arteries, tick bites, and treating ringworm and other itchy rashes like athlete’s foot. It is also suggested that garlic can prevent cancer (especially cancer in the digestive tract) by preventing the overgrowth of cells and assisting in DNA repair.
You can consume garlic in its natural state, as a powder, and in pill form. The pill form is customary when taking garlic as a supplement. Garlic is used in cooking, both as a vegetable--usually chopped or crushed, and as a powder in dishes that require the flavor, but not the texture of garlic.
Folk remedies call for garlic to treat respiratory ailments like colds, and studies show that garlic can indeed be effective in these scenarios-- but usually more as a reduction in frequency, rather than duration of symptoms. Many people tout the use of garlic poultices in treating colds. There are people that have suggested garlic might be a good treatment for acne. It is important to point out that the excessive use of garlic may result in a pungent body odor leaving you isolated from the people around.
When using garlic medicinally, do not rub raw garlic directly on the skin, as this may cause severe irritation. For pregnant and breastfeeding women eating garlic is ok, but do not use it medicinally, as the risk to the fetus and/or the baby is always uncertain. Children should not ingest large amounts of garlic, either in food or for medicinal purposes. Garlic is also known to thin the blood and thereby exacerbate bleeding events. Consult your doctor concerning your risk of using garlic medicinally if you have a bleeding disorder or within two weeks of having surgery.
Garlic is full of health benefits and is a welcome alternative to synthetic treatment. However, garlic is potent and should be used with caution to treat the body medicinally. It should never be applied directly to the skin in its raw form, but gels and creams containing garlic are generally considered safe.
Possible short-term side effects
- bad breath/body odor
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skin irritation
Possible long-term side effects
Benefits
- disinfectant
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antibacterial
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increased blood circulation
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lowered cholesterol and blood pressure
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lowered risk of cancer
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treats acne
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treatment for colds
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natural seasoning
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Written by DeeAnne Oldham
Published on: 06-10-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by DeeAnne Oldham
Published on: 06-10-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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