Add Some Cloves to Your Meal: It’s National Garlic Day!

What’s a distinctly smelly vegetable, belongs to the lily family, and goes with just about any dish? If you guessed garlic, you’re right! Garlic is an extremely versatile ingredient with loads of nutritional benefits. What better way to celebrate this special, but stinky, vegetable than on National Garlic Day? On April 19th, grab your garlic and crack open these pungent cloves!

Garlic, also known as the “stinking rose”, originated in Asia over 7,000 years ago and has been a staple ingredient for a variety of cultures. Garlic can be used as a vegetable, herb, seasoning, or even for medicinal purposes.

5 Important Health Benefits of Garlic

No matter how you use garlic, it packs a nutritional punch! Garlic is filled with important nutrients and is a great addition to any diet. Here are 5 important health benefits of garlic:

1. Improved blood pressure. Several studies have shown garlic has anti-inflammatory benefits. These anti-inflammatory benefits allow for blood to flow more easily throughout the body, which aids in regulating blood pressure.

2. Lowers cholesterol. Garlic has been shown to also help in lowering cholesterol. Adding garlic to your meals or as part of your daily routine could be a great lifelong habit to better health!

3. Helps with the cold or flu. It may seem like an ancient myth but, garlic does help with boosting the immune system! Several studies have shown that consuming garlic reduced the length and severity of the common cold and flu symptoms.

4. Aids in bone health. Maintaining healthy bones is extremely important as we age– and garlic can help with that. Garlic can help reduce bone loss, as well as the risk for developing osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Give your bones some extra support by adding garlic to your plate!

5. Reduces risk of heart disease. As mentioned before, garlic has the natural ability to aid in improving blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. By helping with these two things, it also reduces your risk for heart disease. When eaten, garlic produces nitric oxide in the body, which has been shown to relax hardened blood vessels and prevent platelet aggregation, all of which make your heart very happy.

Adding More Garlic to Your Plate

Garlic is not only beneficial for your health but can also elevate any recipe. There are endless culinary possibilities when it comes to garlic because of its versatility. Garlic can be added to sauces, soups, mixed into different proteins, vegetables, you name it, garlic can do it! During National Garlic Day, crack open some garlic and consider trying one of these ways to use garlic in your next recipe:

Add to different proteins like chicken or fish after cooking and allow it to melt over while cooking in the oven or on the stove.

Use it to spice up your vegetables. Try mixing it into stir fry vegetables, potatoes, or other vegetable combinations!

Add it to your homemade spreads or dips like hummus, guacamole, salsa, or garlic butter.

Mix it into pasta sauce, soup, or gravy.

Add it to hot tea. Try mixing garlic and honey to soothe a sore throat!

On April 19th, let’s show some appreciation for these strong and fragrant cloves. Try a new recipe with garlic or even incorporate it in a unique way. No matter how you choose to use garlic, it will always leave you feeling strong, healthy, and a little bit smelly.

Your Turn to Take Action: What is your favorite way to use garlic? Let me know in the comments below.