Can I Eat Garlic with Diabetes?

Garlic is a plant used in many countries as a seasoning. It has a tart spicy taste and a peculiar smell. Garlic has been used in food for centuries. There are many superstitions associated with this plant. It is believed that garlic has a lot of useful properties. Can it be eaten for people with diabetes?

General information

Garlic is a member of the genus Onion subfamily. His homeland is considered the mountains of Central Asia, mainly Turkmenistan. The first country in which garlic was cultivated was India. Curiously, this plant was not used there as food. The goals of growing it to this day are not clear.

Approximately 5000 BC garlic became widespread in many countries of the Ancient World. It is known that in Egypt, garlic was eaten by workers who built the pyramids. It was believed that the plant gives them strength.Once, a riot arose at one of the construction sites due to the fact that the workers did not receive their portion of garlic. In addition, the plant was used for ritual purposes for the burial of some pharaohs. More than 20 types of drugs of that time were made using garlic.

Now garlic as a seasoning is used in almost all countries. It is a traditional ingredient in many Asian and North African dishes. In Japan, garlic, cooked in a special way, is used as an independent sweet dish. With this plant is associated with a large number of recipes of traditional medicine.

Garlic properties

Garlic contains a large number of amino acids and essential oils. The latter determine its specific taste and smell. Allicin - a specific oil that is found in garlic, is the strongest antioxidant.Its properties have attracted the attention of scientists, since there are no substances that could be compared with it in antioxidant capabilities.

Garlic is the record for the content of ascorbic acid, which also has antioxidant properties. In addition, this plant contains quite a lot of B vitamins, especially pyridoxine. Trace elements in garlic contains more than vitamins. He is a champion on the content of calcium and phosphorus. In addition, garlic contains a lot of potassium and magnesium. All these substances predetermine its beneficial properties:

1. Antiseptic. Garlic has a detrimental effect on bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and protozoa. For many millennia, it has been used as an antiseptic and antihelminthic. These qualities are determined by the presence of allicin and other phytoncides.
2. Anti-inflammatory. Biologically active substances contained in garlic act like acetylsalicylic acid. They reduce inflammatory reactions in the body and help to reduce body temperature during fever.
3. Maintaining heart activity. In order for the heart to work rhythmically, it needs two microelements: potassium and magnesium.Garlic contains a large amount of them, which reduces the risk of arrhythmias in people who use this plant.
4. Lowering blood pressure. Garlic has a vasodilating effect, which helps to reduce blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing hypertension.
5. Increased motility and secretion of the gastrointestinal tract. Garlic irritates the walls of the alimentary canal, which first increases the secretion in all parts of the tract, and then the intestinal motility.
6. Normalization of fat metabolism. This plant helps to reduce cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins, which reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. In addition, garlic prevents the development of obesity.

Diabetes Garlic

Diabetes disrupts the functioning of the pancreas, and therefore the amount of insulin decreases. Garlic stimulates the pancreas, thereby increasing insulin secretion. In this regard, garlic with diabetes can be considered a medical product.

Garlic should not be used by people suffering from gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, as well as hyperacid gastritis. In addition, its use is not recommended for people prone to diarrhea or suffering from various types of pancreatitis.

It can be concluded that garlic has many beneficial properties that can reduce the manifestations of diabetes. Patients with diabetes benefit from the use of garlic, but only in moderation and provided there are no contraindications. Such contraindications include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and digestive glands.

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