Interesting information about garlic - its chemical composition, caloric content, useful and medicinal properties. Useful properties and calorie content: garlic

We all know that garlic is useful - for example, it helps to cope with a cold. But modern medicine has discovered another wonderful property in it: it helps to maintain harmony. Laboratory studies at the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel) showed that rats fed garlic lost weight, even when on a diet high in sugar.

The benefits and composition of garlic

It has long been proven that garlic successfully reduces high blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks, helps manage diabetes, and successfully destroys cancer cells.

The key to the beneficial properties of garlic is in a substance called allicin, which is formed during the mechanical destruction of garlic cells. This substance helps to reduce the level of unhealthy fats and cholesterol in food.

By analyzing the chemical composition of garlic, nutritionists confirm that garlic is a source of calcium, manganese, phosphorus and selenium. Calcium is not only our bones and teeth, but also the speed of transmission of impulses from the peripheral nervous system to the brain. Manganese, among other useful properties, makes us more calm and attentive. Phosphorus is involved in cell growth and metabolism, and selenium is absolutely necessary for the stable operation of every organ of the human body. In addition, garlic is very high in vitamins C and B6.

How many calories does garlic contain?

Now about the calorie content: on average, one clove of garlic contains only 4 calories, three - about 13. A hundred grams of fresh garlic (according to various sources) contains from 60 to 135 calories, and the same amount of pickled - 42 calories. A teaspoon of fresh garlic, according to American nutritionists, contains 25 grams.

Why do so many websites state that garlic is high in calories? The authors overlook exactly the features of its preparation. A cup of garlic mass will last a whole season if you add it to spaghetti sauces or seasonings for stews. In this case, by "glass" we mean 48 crushed cloves, which together contain about 200 calories.

Despite the fact that there are practically no calories in fresh garlic, its culinary processing ultimately leads to an increase in the energy value of the dish. The fact is that almost no one eats garlic in its pure form - it is added to other products as a spice. And you must admit, there is a difference: rub meat or bread with garlic. An example is a popular snack: fried garlic in olive oil, which is spread on bread. If we consider one clove of garlic prepared in this way, it already contains 10 calories instead of four.

Chefs, according to The New York Times, claim that the benefits of garlic, even fried in oil, are much higher than strict calorie counting.

product	calories	squirrels	fats	carbohydrates
garlic	143 kcal	6.5 g	0.5 g	29.9 g
dried garlic	345 kcal	16.0 g	0.4 g	75.0 g
pickled garlic	42 kcal	1.8 g	0.0 g	9.0 g
marinated garlic cloves	24 kcal	1.0 g	0.0 g	3.5 g

Garlic "came" to us from Central Asia. It is of two types: arrowhead, which forms a flowering arrow in the form of a stem with aerial bulbs at the top, and non-arrowhead, which does not form an arrow.

The benefits of garlic

What is the benefit of garlic? It contains a huge amount of fiber, ascorbic acid, carbohydrate, macro- and microelements, among which the most potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, manganese, phosphorus, iodine and zinc, as well as vitamins C, P, D, B, phytoncides, sulfur and essential oils.

Sulfur, or sulfides, which are contained in garlic, have amazing properties to inhibit causative agents of typhus, dysentery, pathogenic fungi and yeast, various types of staphylococcus. It is precisely those sulfides found in garlic that are able to combine free toxins even before they have time to harm the body. Garlic has such a strong effect on toxic substances that their molecules begin to move much more slowly, become lethargic and are easily excreted from the body.

In addition, garlic contains other equally important substances for the body: adenosine, allicin, pectin, diallyl trisulfide, allixin. These substances are able to effectively resist the formation of tumors, destroy pathogens of various infectious diseases, lower blood glucose levels, prevent blood clots, stabilize the amount of cholesterol in the blood and eliminate negative consequences after suffering stress.

Regular consumption of garlic can reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men. According to studies, if you eat five or six grams of garlic and onions every day, you can reduce the likelihood of cancer cells by 50 percent. According to the explanations of oncologists, this ability is given to garlic by the allium contained in it, which gives the plant a specific smell.

Despite the high calorie content of garlic, it is very useful for pulmonary asthma, diseases of the nervous system, gout, joint diseases, diseases of the throat and spleen. It alleviates the condition with pulmonary ulcers and diseases of the stomach, as it is able to remove excess gases from the body. And for the prevention of the occurrence of diseases of the teeth and gums, it is recommended to use roasted garlic.

The substances contained in garlic increase the efficiency of the stomach, liver, intestines, have antihelminthic, diuretic, analgesic, antispasmodic and antimicrobial effects.

Of particular value is hydrogen sulfide, which occurs after the dissection of garlic cloves. If garlic is not subjected to drying and heat treatment, this substance is able to relax the vascular walls.

How to choose the right garlic

Despite the fact that the calorie content of garlic is not small, it is in no way able to harm the figure, as it is used in fairly small quantities. If you want to buy healthy, ripe and tasty garlic in a supermarket or market, follow these recommendations:

The entire surface of the garlic should be firm and dry;

Garlic is known as a very healthy product that has strengthening properties, improves immunity and helps the body fight many viral diseases. The composition of garlic includes proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, a small amount of fats and organic acids, as well as essential oils. It contains vitamins PP, B vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamins E, K and choline, as well as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, iron, zinc, iodine, copper, sulfur, manganese, selenium and other minerals. .

Despite the seemingly high calorie content of garlic, it is useful for weight loss. The benefits of garlic for weight loss are explained by the fact that it normalizes metabolism, promotes fat burning and improves digestion. In addition, few people eat garlic in large quantities, so the calorie content of garlic is not large - a clove of garlic contains no more than 5 calories. The main source of calories contained in garlic are carbohydrates and proteins. There are very few fatty acids in this product.

Garlic is contraindicated in peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract, anemia, as well as diseases of the genitourinary system, pancreatitis, nephritis and nephrosis, during an exacerbation of hemorrhoids. During pregnancy and lactation, garlic is also contraindicated.

The benefits of garlic for weight loss

Despite the fact that garlic, due to the presence of essential oils in it, increases appetite, and despite the high calorie content of garlic, this product is used for weight loss. The benefits of garlic for weight loss have not been scientifically proven, but in practice, more and more people are convinced that the use of this product facilitates the process of weight loss and helps maintain the results of the diet after it is completed.

With a lot of overweight, garlic is really undesirable just because of its ability to increase appetite and because of the calorie content of garlic, but if you have a small amount of extra pounds, garlic for weight loss is quite effective. It activates the activity of the digestive system and improves the digestion and assimilation of food, and the acids and essential compounds that make up its composition contribute to the burning of fats.

Garlic for weight loss is also useful due to its ability to speed up metabolism.- with an increased metabolism, calorie consumption becomes greater, respectively, and weight loss is easier. Of course, in order for garlic to really help you lose weight, the use of this product should be combined with a diet or diet restriction, as well as physical activity.

How to take garlic for weight loss

Garlic is useful in any form and will positively affect your health and help you in the fight against extra pounds in any case. But there is also a special scheme for taking garlic for weight loss.

Every day for 6 days, eat garlic before meals: on the first day, one clove, on the second - two, and so on. At the same time, it is not necessary to radically change the diet, but sweets, floury dishes, fatty foods should be excluded from it - in general, everything is high-calorie. Starting from the seventh day, reduce the amount of garlic consumed: on the seventh day - five cloves before meals, on the eighth - four, and so on until the twelfth day, when the reception ends. You can take garlic according to this scheme only if there are no contraindications listed above, and if unpleasant symptoms appear (stomach pain, diarrhea, etc.), garlic should be stopped immediately.

Another way to take garlic for weight loss is to make a tincture of this product.. Take 200 g of garlic and grind or crush it, pour them with 200 grams of alcohol or vodka. This mixture is infused for 10 days, after which it is filtered. Garlic tincture should be consumed 20 minutes before each meal, dissolving a few drops in milk. The course of taking the tincture is 2 weeks, doctors recommend repeating it no more than 1 time in 6 years.

An easier and less drastic way to use garlic for weight loss is to add it to your meals daily. Nutritionists recommend eating garlic twice a day: once raw (adding it to salads, sauces, ready meals, etc.) and once cooked (as part of dishes, for example, adding it to meat during cooking, vegetables, soups, etc.).

There are also various options for garlic diets, the use of tincture of garlic and lemon, brewing ginger tea with garlic, etc. If you do not have serious problems with excess weight, but you want to maintain the harmony of your figure, just do not forget to include garlic in your daily diet - its calorie content is low and at the same time it will be useful not only for your weight, but also for health.

Kefir with garlic

This drink is known as an effective fat burning cocktail. It includes kefir, crushed garlic (1-2 cloves per 1 liter of kefir), you can also add ginger, cinnamon and red pepper. The drink must be prepared in the evening and insisted during the night.

This cocktail is drunk after meals, before meals or at bedtime, but in no case on an empty stomach. It activates metabolic processes in the body and promotes fat burning. It reduces appetite, and also has a laxative effect, helping to cleanse the intestines, which allows you to use kefir with garlic for constipation.

Garlic for constipation

Due to the presence in its composition of fiber and many organic compounds that improve digestion and stimulate intestinal motility, garlic for constipation is quite effective, and not only in combination with kefir, but also separately– for example, if you have problems with bowel movements. Just eat 2-3 cloves of garlic every day at every meal. You can also do enemas with garlic. To do this, prepare a decoction of garlic: pour 2 heads of garlic into 1 liter of cold water, bring to a boil, boil for 10 minutes, cool and strain. A decoction for enemas with garlic should be diluted with warm water up to 2 liters.

In many products, we are primarily interested in their calorie content. Garlic, however, is not loved for this. I must say that this plant is found in two types: the arrowing garlic forms a flowering stem with air bulbs at the very top, well, the non-shooting one does without such an "arrow". The homeland of this plant is considered to be grown in many countries. This is Ancient Egypt, and Greece, and Rome, and India. Few dishes can do without this fragrant spice.

Garlic, which is very low in calories, is popular in a wide variety of cuisines. One head contains only four calories. Virtually no carbohydrates and absolutely no fat. A specific, but so beloved by many, aroma is provided by sulfur, which is part of the plant. It also affects the level of cholesterol, reduces blood pressure. Scientists believe that garlic can prevent the development of the stomach. In addition, this plant strengthens the immune system and is natural (it contains allicin, which prevents complications from colds or flu). Therefore, whatever its calorie content, garlic will always be popular with various peoples. Well, if you really want to freshen your breath after eating garlic, you can chew a sprig of parsley, cinnamon or cardamom seeds.

But let's leave the calories alone. Garlic has an antiseptic and preventive effect, contains vitamins C, D, P, B, iron, sodium and calcium, potassium and manganese, as well as zinc, iodine and magnesium, selenium and valuable essential oils. This plant destroys a significant number of various bacteria, prevents the development of atherosclerosis, cleanses blood vessels, and therefore serves as a means of preventing strokes and heart attacks. As a natural antioxidant, garlic protects DNA from various chemicals and mutations. Many scientists even consider, as mentioned above, that it is one of the anti-cancer agents.

You can not even take into account its low calorie content. Garlic should be eaten raw, but without chewing the cloves (the stomach may react), but adding to stews, baked or fried meats, salads, any vegetables and even mashed potatoes. But you need to carefully choose the cloves: if green sprouts have already appeared, then the plant will give the dish a noticeable bitterness. Quite clearly about the properties of products with which garlic is combined, the calorie table tells. There are quite a few drinks in which garlic can also be added. But most often this is done to obtain a strengthening effect during flu epidemics, and they do not taste the most pleasant.

As for products, garlic is combined with almost all vegetables, ideal for lamb, but can be easily used in other dishes. Its extremely low content of sugar, sodium, absence of cholesterol and excess of calcium, selenium, vitamins and other useful substances make this plant extremely valuable. Besides, it is very tasty.

Garlic rich in vitamins and minerals such as: vitamin B5 - 11.9%, vitamin B6 - 30%, vitamin C - 11.1%, vitamin PP - 14%, calcium - 18%, phosphorus - 12.5%, cobalt - 90%, manganese - 40.5%, copper - 13%, molybdenum - 36.3%, selenium - 25.8%, chromium - 80%

Benefits of Garlic

• Vitamin B5 participates in protein, fat, carbohydrate metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, the synthesis of a number of hormones, hemoglobin, promotes the absorption of amino acids and sugars in the intestine, supports the function of the adrenal cortex. A lack of pantothenic acid can lead to damage to the skin and mucous membranes.
• Vitamin B6 participates in the maintenance of the immune response, the processes of inhibition and excitation in the central nervous system, in the transformation of amino acids, the metabolism of tryptophan, lipids and nucleic acids, contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells, maintaining a normal level of homocysteine ​​in the blood. Insufficient intake of vitamin B6 is accompanied by a decrease in appetite, a violation of the condition of the skin, the development of homocysteinemia, anemia.
• Vitamin C participates in redox reactions, the functioning of the immune system, promotes the absorption of iron. Deficiency leads to friable and bleeding gums, nosebleeds due to increased permeability and fragility of blood capillaries.
• Vitamin PP participates in redox reactions of energy metabolism. Inadequate vitamin intake is accompanied by a violation of the normal state of the skin, gastrointestinal tract and nervous system.
• Calcium is the main component of our bones, acts as a regulator of the nervous system, is involved in muscle contraction. Calcium deficiency leads to demineralization of the spine, pelvic bones and lower extremities, increases the risk of osteoporosis.
• Phosphorus takes part in many physiological processes, including energy metabolism, regulates the acid-base balance, is part of phospholipids, nucleotides and nucleic acids, is necessary for the mineralization of bones and teeth. Deficiency leads to anorexia, anemia, rickets.
• Cobalt is part of vitamin B12. Activates the enzymes of fatty acid metabolism and folic acid metabolism.
• Manganese participates in the formation of bone and connective tissue, is part of the enzymes involved in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, catecholamines; necessary for the synthesis of cholesterol and nucleotides. Insufficient consumption is accompanied by growth retardation, disorders in the reproductive system, increased fragility of bone tissue, disorders of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
• Copper is part of the enzymes that have redox activity and are involved in the metabolism of iron, stimulates the absorption of proteins and carbohydrates. Participates in the processes of providing tissues of the human body with oxygen. Deficiency is manifested by violations of the formation of the cardiovascular system and skeleton, the development of connective tissue dysplasia.
• Molybdenum is a cofactor of many enzymes that provide the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids, purines and pyrimidines.
• Selenium- an essential element of the antioxidant defense system of the human body, has an immunomodulatory effect, participates in the regulation of the action of thyroid hormones. Deficiency leads to Kashin-Bek's disease (osteoarthritis with multiple deformities of the joints, spine and limbs), Keshan's disease (endemic myocardiopathy), and hereditary thrombasthenia.
• Chromium participates in the regulation of blood glucose levels, enhancing the action of insulin. Deficiency leads to decreased glucose tolerance.

hide more

A complete guide to the most useful products you can see in the application