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Garlic head and garlic cloves
Peggy Trowbridge
About Garlic:
Garlic is a cousin to onions, leeks, chives, and
shallots.
A bulb or head of garlic is composed of smaller cloves. It is a root vegetable,
with the bulb growing underground.
Botanical Name:
Allium sativum, a member of the lily
(Liliaceae) family. The word garlic comes from the Old English garleac,
meaning spear leek.
Common and Other Names:
garlic, garlick, knoblauch, ajo, ail,
aglio, thum, suen tau, suan, knoflook, sir, garleag, shum, lasun, ninniku, alho,
chesnok, bawang, poondoo, gratiem, katiem, sarmisak, lehsun, toi. Quaint diner
slang of the 1920's referred to garlic as Bronx vanilla, halitosis, and Italian
perfume.
Garlic Availability:
Crops are harvested in mid-July and hung in
sheds to dry before reaching their prime in late-July/early-August. Fresh and
dried garlic are available year-round in most markets.
Garlic Selection:
Choose heads that are firm to the touch,
with no nicks or soft cloves. If you notice dark, powdery patches under the
skin, pass it up since it is an indication of a common mold which will
eventually spoil the flesh. Fresh garlic is more difficult to peel. As garlic
ages, it shrivels inside the skin, making it easier to peel.
Garlic Varieties and Forms:
There are over 300 varieties of garlic
grown worldwide. American garlic, with its white, papery skin and strong flavor
is one of the most common varieties. Italian and Mexican garlic, both of which
have pink- to purple-colored skins, are slightly milder-flavored varieties.
Forms include whole heads, whole peeled cloves, minced fresh cloves, dried
garlic powder, garlic extract, and garlic salt.
Garlic Storage:
Store unpeeled garlic in an open container
in a cool, dry place away from other foods. Do not refrigerate or freeze
unpeeled garlic. Peeled garlic cloves may be stored in a sealed container in
the refrigerator. It is imperative that garlic in oil be stored under
refrigeration to avoid potentially-deadly bacteria growth. Garlic powder should
be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.
Miscellaneous Garlic Information:
Elephant garlic (allium scorodoprasum),
which has very large, extremely mild-flavored cloves, is not a true garlic, but
a closer relative to the leek. The smaller you chop garlic, the more pungent it
becomes. Whole cooked garlic cloves are quite mild, with a nutty flavor.
Studies have shown garlic can suppress the growth of tumors, and is a potent
antioxidant good for cardiovascular health.
What
Is Garlic?
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a
plant closely related to onions, leeks, and chives. Extracts of the bulb and
clove are sometimes used medicinally.
Uses
for Garlic
In herbal medicine, garlic is
typically used to treat or prevent these conditions:
·
Heart disease
·
Cancer
·
Infections
·
Colds
Benefits
of Garlic
Research suggests that garlic may
help fight the following health problems:
A number of studies have shown that
regular intake of garlic may lead to moderate changes in cholesterol levels. In
a 2009 review that analyzed the results of 29 clinical trials, for instance,
researchers found that garlic appears to reduce total cholesterol to a modest
extent. A study published in 2000, however, indicates that although garlic is
superior to a placebo
in lowering total cholesterol levels, the use of garlic in treatment of high
cholesterol is of "questionable value."
Garlic preparations are more
effective than a placebo when it comes to reducing blood pressure in people
with hypertension, according to a 2008 review and analysis of 25 studies.
However, another review (published in 2009) concluded that garlic should not be
recommended as a blood pressure-lowering remedy for hypertensive patients.
3) The
Common Cold
Garlic may help fend off colds,
suggests a 2001 study. For 12 weeks during cold season, 146 volunteers took
either a daily garlic supplement or a placebo. By the end of the study period,
24 colds were reported in the garlic group, compared to 65 in the placebo
group.
4)
Colorectal and Stomach Cancer
In a 2001 review of 19 studies on
garlic consumption and cancer incidence, researchers found that regular intake
of garlic (in raw, cooked, or supplement form) may help prevent stomach and
colorectal cancers.
Is
Garlic Safe?
While garlic is generally considered
safe, possible adverse effects include:
·
Upset stomach
·
Headache
·
Fatigue
·
Diarrhea
Since garlic thins the blood, it's
important to discontinue use at least seven days before undergoing surgery.
Garlic may also interact with a number of medications, including insulin,
anticoagulants, immunosuppressive agents, and protease inhibitors.
How
to Use Garlic
Garlic supplements (as well as
topically applied garlic oils, often used in treatment of ear
infections) are sold in many health food stores and drugstores. Eating
chopped or crushed raw garlic may also offer medicinal benefits.
eveloped by the National Institutes
of Health in coordination with researches from the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute, the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
represents the most effective, most researched guide to dietary changes for
high blood pressure.
Building on a solid foundation
focused on highlighting good foods, the DASH diet has been proven to help
control and lower blood pressure in those who strictly follow its guidelines.
Nutrition
Goals
The mainstay of the DASH diet is a well rounded distribution of foods that focus on where your calories actually come from. The breakdown works as follows
Total fat: 27% of calories
Saturated fat: 6% of calories
Protein: 18% of calories
Carbohydrate: 55% of calories
Cholesterol: 150 mg
Sodium: 2,300 mg
Potassium: 4,700 mg
Calcium: 1,250 mg
Magnesium: 500 mg
Fiber: 30 g
The mainstay of the DASH diet is a well rounded distribution of foods that focus on where your calories actually come from. The breakdown works as follows
Total fat: 27% of calories
Saturated fat: 6% of calories
Protein: 18% of calories
Carbohydrate: 55% of calories
Cholesterol: 150 mg
Sodium: 2,300 mg
Potassium: 4,700 mg
Calcium: 1,250 mg
Magnesium: 500 mg
Fiber: 30 g
Application
These guidelines represent a well balanced intake of fats, carbohydrates, and protein. To express the guidelines another way, consider this summary of daily serving recommendations
These guidelines represent a well balanced intake of fats, carbohydrates, and protein. To express the guidelines another way, consider this summary of daily serving recommendations
- Grains: 8 Servings
- Vegetables: 4 Servings
- Fruits: 5 Servings
- Dairy Foods: 3 Servings
- Meats, Poultry, & Fish: 2
Servings
- Nuts, Legumes, & Seeds: 1
Servings
- Fats & Oils 2.5: Servings
Important
Points
In general remember the following important points when making long term changes to diet habits
In general remember the following important points when making long term changes to diet habits
- Changes should be gradual
- Complex carbohydrates, such as
whole grains, should be the center of a healthy meal
- Work on increasing intake of
fruits and vegetables
- Minimize the consumption of
fats and sodium
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