Garlic is one of the healthiest foods, thanks to biological compounds such as allicin, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-supporting properties. However, improper use of garlic can cause side effects. Therefore, understanding and applying the correct way to use garlic is important to maximize the benefits without harming your health. The World Health Organization has provided useful guidelines for safe garlic use.
One of the most effective and safest ways to use garlic is to eat raw garlic, but you need to pay attention to the dosage. Consuming 1-2 cloves of garlic per day is reasonable for healthy adults, helping to optimize disease prevention effects without harming the body. However, consuming too much garlic can irritate the stomach and increase the risk of digestive problems. Therefore, you should not eat too much raw garlic, especially for people with a history of stomach diseases such as stomach ulcers.
Another way to use garlic safely is to prepare it properly. According to research from the Mayo Clinic, when garlic is prepared at low temperatures, the organic compounds in garlic such as allicin can exert their beneficial effects without losing the nutritional quality of garlic. It should be noted that cooking garlic at high temperatures can reduce the effects of allicin, making garlic less effective than desired. Therefore, garlic should be prepared at moderate temperatures or added to dishes after cooking is complete.
In addition, combining garlic with other foods can also bring benefits. When combining garlic with fatty foods such as olive oil, the compounds in garlic can be better absorbed into the body. This is why garlic is often used in dishes such as salads or stir-fried with cooking oil.
It is important to note that garlic may interact with certain medications, especially blood thinners. There are warnings that garlic may reduce the ability of blood to clot. Therefore, people taking blood thinners should consult their doctor before adding garlic to their diet.
