Raw Garlic for Weight Loss

Garlic, the glorious stinking rose, as it is otherwise known, is part of the allium genus family and related to the onion. Its medicinal use dates back to 4,000 B.C., and was used extensively in ancient Egypt, China and Greece. Used by builders of Cheops Pyramid to boost their immunity, garlic is currently the best selling herb. Its popularity is understandable as it imparts flavors to food and promotes many health benefits--it can reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, prevent cancer, fight infections and more. According to scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science, garlic can also help with weight loss.

Active Ingredients

Garlic contains allicin, the cause of its pungency and an antibacterial agent due to its sulfur content. Allicin belongs to a group of compounds called thiosulphates and makes up 70 to 80 percent of the thiosulphates. However, allicin is not present in its natural state and it is only released only when it is crushed and is destroyed when cooked. Garlic also contains other sulfur antioxidants like germanium and selenium and Vitamins A, C and E.

Allicin and Weight Loss

A team of doctors at Israel's Tel Hashomer Hospital conducted controlled test on rats to find how garlic can prevent diabetes and heart attacks and found an interesting side effect. They noticed that none of the rats given allicin gained weight.

According to Medspice, garlic can effectively keep weight in control. First of all, garlic is an appetite suppressant. The strong odor of garlic stimulates the satiety center in the brain, thereby reducing feelings of hunger. Specifically, garlic reduces appetite by increasing the brain's sensitivity to leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells to regulate appetite. Garlic has another lethal weight loss arsenal--it stimulates the nervous system to release hormones like adrenalin, which in turn speed up metabolic rate. An increased metabolic rate means more ability to burn more fat calories. More calories burned means less weight gain--a happy correlation.

Ways to Eat Garlic

Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture and in Argentina revealed that crushing garlic releases more of the healthy allicin. Add crushed garlic to salads, soups, dips, sauces and marinades to garner its health benefits. You can also use minced garlic to add flavor to meat dishes, stews and casseroles. Garlic gives pesto sauce gusto and spaghetti sauce a distinctive flavor.

Finally, garlic lovers may gain many health benefits but garlic breath can be off-putting. Getting rid of garlic breath requires chewing on fresh sprigs of parsley, mint, or lemon and orange peels or fennel seeds.