Who doesn’t want to be that little bit healthier? Especially if improving your health involves minimal effort. With this in mind we’ve made it our mission to bring you news each week of a product, a foodstuff, an exercise technique or a pill that promises potentially magical health-giving properties.
This week’s magic ingredient: Garlic
Not to be confused with: Garfield, cow’s lick, Arctic Circle, spondulicks
Will my breath not stink out the joint if I eat this stuff: We won’t lie, that’s a strong possibility, but wouldn’t you rather focus on its strengths? It’s ideal for treating colds and flu, aids respiratory problems and has been used throughout history by amongst others, the Greeks, the Romans and the Egyptians to treat various ailments.
Fair enough but back in the day they thought that drinking your own piss was good for you and heroin was used to treat heavy coughs (honestly); they didn’t have a clue. Can’t argue with that but they’re not still doing those things now are they? Garlic was used as recently as World War II to combat gangrene and is still used to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce levels of hyperlipidemia.
Hyperwhatmia? Hyperlipidemia. It’s the presence of raised or abnormal levels of any or all lipids and/or lipoproteins in the blood. It raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and pancreatitis.
OK, ok, less of that health babble, we believe you. But garlic can’t be all good can it? Unfortunately, no. As you referred to earlier, it tends to create quite a pungent whiff off your breath if you over indulge in garlicky foods. It is known in some cases to cause halitosis, a condition that leads to mouth odours so bad that the only solution lies in seeking medical or dental help.
Not only that, it can also cause your sweat to be even smellier than normal with a scent that is very hard to shake off. If it happens that you’re allergic to the stuff, that’s where things get really nasty. Symptoms for those affected are said to include mouth and throat ulcerations, irritable bowel and diarrhoea.
Whoa, that’s done it for me; no way am I going near the stuff. Sorry I scared you there. Relax, as long as you don’t go overboard it’s not that bad. Cooking garlic reduces its potency; raw garlic is the really strong stuff.
How does it taste? Lovely. Garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to many a meal and a hint of garlic goes well with lots of different meats, sauces and pasta dishes. Just try and make sure that everyone else at the table is eating it so that nobody can accuse you of being the only one with dodgy breath. If that doesn’t work, load up on parsley or chewing gum afterwards to counteract the flavor. If you’re going on the pull after dinner, best stay away from it altogether.
Anything else I should know? Well since you’re so curious, here’s a few tales for you to chew on. Central European folk once believed that the presence of garlic would help protect them from demons, werewolves and vampires, while in both Jainism and Hinduism, it is thought that garlic stimulates the body and increase the desires of those who eat it.
Increases desires? That’s me sold, no need for the Viagra any more. How do I take the stuff? As a seasoner, garlic is contained in many different foods and is perhaps most commonly associated with garlic bread. If you want it at its most pure, you can try eating a clove of garlic, which you’ll find in most grocery shops. Be warned, it’s not a particularly pleasant experience.
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