Is It Good To Consume Garlic On An Empty Stomach?

Today there are many opinions, both good and bad, about consuming garlic on an empty stomach. Garlic is much more than a condiment, it is a food that is attributed nutritional properties and health benefits. In fact, it is believed that consuming garlic on an empty stomach could help improve digestion, better absorb nutrients from food, and also optimize the functions of the pancreas and liver.

In addition, according to the Spanish Nutrition Foundation, garlic has a high nutritional value since it contains different vitamins such as vitamin C and B6, and manganese. For its part, the Spanish Heart Foundation recommends consuming garlic not only to reduce “bad” or LDL cholesterol and protect the heart, but also as a cleansing, antiseptic and antibacterial remedy.

Would it be good to consume garlic on an empty stomach?

Garlic is recognized in many parts of the world for its many benefits. For this reason, natural medicine often recommends its use to alleviate the symptoms of different ailments.

Various researches show that garlic has antibacterial properties. While no one indicates that it would be better to eat it in the morning, the recommendation of some professionals and popular belief indicate that the effects of garlic would be more powerful at this time than if it is consumed after a meal.

On the other hand, some hypertensive people have noticed the improvement of symptoms with the daily consumption of garlic. Research published in Avicenna, Journal of Phytomedicine , noted that those who consumed garlic powder three times a day, in addition to the doctor-recommended treatment, lowered their blood pressure compared to the placebo group. More studies would be necessary.

Another beneficial property that is attributed to the consumption of garlic on an empty stomach would be to improve different stomach problems, such as diarrhea.

On the other hand, some people have assured that they found in the consumption of garlic a natural remedy to combat the symptoms of nervous problems, such as heartburn. Unfortunately, there is no conclusive data to support these properties.

Other benefits of garlic

Here are some of the benefits of garlic in study. Keep in mind that while garlic could help relieve symptoms, if you suffer from any of these diseases you should see your doctor and get specialized treatment.

Tuberculosis

Garlic could be beneficial as a supplement in a tuberculosis treatment, as suggested in an article in Pharmacognosy Magazine . To take advantage of its properties in this disease, the patient should take a whole bulb of garlic every day.

Garlic would be recommended to be raw or a little browned in the oven. In addition, you could also prepare a sauce with egg yolk and oil. In this case, it would be necessary to avoid boiling the liquid, since this way the medicinal properties of garlic are lost.

Chronic bronchitis

In the case in which the patient suffers some affectation in the bronchi, to make an infusion could help to improve the situation. At least that is what some animal studies suggest, although more research would be necessary.

For the infusion with garlic the following ingredients are needed:

• 200 g of garlic.
• 700 g of refined sugar.
• 1 L of water.

Then you boil the water with the garlic and then the sugar is added. It would be advisable to take three tablespoons of this infusion a day.

In the case of chronic bronchitis, you could prepare a garlic extract. To do this, you put the following ingredients in a bottle:

•  40 grams of garlic washed and cut into small pieces.
•  100 ml of 90 degree alcohol.

You would let it marinate for five or six days and, after this time, you would pass it through a strainer. It is usually recommended to drink a glass of this extract every day.

Earache

Lastly, some people argue that garlic might help decrease earache. To do this, a little garlic juice would be prepared and one or two drops would be administered directly into the affected ear. Important: it is not advisable to introduce remedies not endorsed by the doctor into the ear. Go to the consultation before using this home remedy.

Garlic, an effective natural remedy

Although many of the benefits of garlic are supported by studies, it is essential to note that it is by no means a substitute for treatments prescribed by the doctor. 

In fact, if you are taking medications, it is best to consult before using it as a supplement. Although its intake is usually safe, its consumption as a remedy may be discouraged in some cases.