Eating a clove of garlic might not be the tastiest snack in the world, but it will give you some powerful health benefits. Benefits include managing high cholesterol levels and decreasing the risk of various cancers. Garlic has been used for ages as a folk remedy for several diseases. Science is just now discovering how effective it really is in helping us become and stay healthy.

Supports Cardiovascular System
Over 250 publications have proven that garlic helps our cardiovascular system. It can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. Garlic can also inhibit platelet stickiness and increase fibrinolysis, which results in a decreased rate of blood coagulation.

Anti-Microbial Properties
Garlic may work against intestinal parasites because it has antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties. Garlic is said to have around 1 percent of the power of penicillin against certain bacteria. For example: Candida or yeast infections are successfully inhibited with garlic.

Cancer Fighting
In the October 2000 issue of the American Journal of Nutrition they concluded that several epidemiologic studies had proven the benefits of eating garlic for stomach cancer. Those who ate raw garlic regularly, compared to those who ate a small amount or none, had about half the risk of stomach cancer and one third decreased risk of colorectal cancer. It has also been discovered that when meat is cooked at high temperatures and burnt slightly with garlic, the carcinogenic compounds it produces are limited. Without garlic when meat is burnt, the carcinogenic compounds are much higher.

Lowers Blood Pressure
Garlic has been found to be very effective in lowering high blood pressure. The reason garlic is so effective is because it relaxes your arteries and it eases the spasm of smaller arteries. Garlic has also shown the ability to help with nausea, shortness of breath and gas in your digestive tract.

Summary
Garlic is best eaten in its natural form. Taking a garlic supplement might help you, but you want to make sure that the supplement is potent and is derived in the best natural way, so as to preserve all the natural compounds that are in it. There are many other benefits garlic has, and this article has just touched upon them. It could for example help you with skin disorders like acne, ear infections or even toothache. The possibilities are endless when you're considering how to get garlic into your diet. Soups are always a good first choice to try!