
Who does not like the combination of garlic with lemon? When paired together, there’s no question that garlic and lemon can add incredible flavor to almost any recipe. But as if that were not enough, it is known that the benefits of this duo surpass the barriers of the kitchen, and that its regular consumption can protect our health in several ways.
Keep reading below to know what are the benefits of taking garlic with lemon , what the scientific evidence says, how to combine them to include it in your routine, what are the possible contraindications and what other recommendations we should take into account.
Index
Nutrients and healthy properties: why is it good to take garlic with lemon?
To answer this question we will make a brief review of what are, in both cases, the main nutritional and healing properties .
First of all, garlic , one of the most recognized bulbs in the Allium family, is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals . Among them are vitamin C, vitamins of group B, manganese, copper, phosphorus and calcium1 . On the other hand, it has ahigh concentration of organulfur compounds, which are attributed numeroushealth properties. One of the most important, and widely studied by science, is allicin.
Scientific evidence suggests that garlic has an antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, antimicrobial and anticoagulant effect on the body 2.
See later:
- 15 Benefits Of Garlic – What It Can Do For Your Health
- Garlic and Onions – The 6 Benefits You Don’t Want to Miss
And what about the lemon? With its high content of vitamin C and a significant contribution of folate, vitamin B6, potassium and fiber3 , it is also a basic in natural medicine and in our kitchens. Lemon has been attributed antioxidant, antiseptic, immunoprotective and slimming properties4.
With this in mind, many say that the combination of garlic with lemon serves more than just flavoring meals.
10+ Benefits of taking garlic with lemon regularly
Lemon garlic can not only help us prevent and alleviate common ailments; it also helps protect the functioning of our organs and reduces the risk of developing many diseases.
Here is a summary with the 12 most important benefits :
- Helps to strengthen the immune system , protecting us from infections by common fungi, viruses and bacteria.
- It helps prevent the spread of colds and flu, speeds up the recovery process and reduces the intensity of your symptoms (cough, nasal congestion, sore throat).
- It favors the expulsion of toxins and waste out of the body.
- Helps lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Speeds up metabolism and promotes greater fat burning .
- Helps lose weight in less time.
- Improves blood circulation and prevents the formation of clots.
- It is good for people with diabetes, promoting healthier blood glucose levels.
- It fights oxidative damage and inflammation in the body, reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, heart disease, and cancer, among others.
- Contributes to better liver function .
- Improves kidney function , combats fluid retention and prevents stone formation.
- Supports good skin , hair and joint health .
It may interest you: Garlic as an Antibiotic – Findings, Benefits, Advantages and Contraindications
How to take garlic with lemon to take advantage of these benefits?
The medicinal properties of garlic with lemon can be used in many ways. If you need a little inspiration, here are 2 quick tips for using this combination beyond the kitchen.
Garlic, lemon and honey (syrup, tea)
Popularly known as the “holy trinity” of nature, the mixture of garlic and lemon with honey is a staple of traditional medicine. In this case, bee honey also contributes its nutritional, antioxidant, soothing, healing, antimicrobial and preservative properties.5.
One of the most popular recipes for mixing the 3 ingredients is to make a kind of syrup. For it:
- Add 2-3 cloves of fresh garlic ( crushed or thinly sliced ) and the juice of 1 lemon to a cup of raw honey.
- Mix well so that the ingredients are integrated, take to a clean glass container and cover tightly.
- Let sit in a cool, dark place for at least 8 hours before first use.
Taking 1-3 teaspoons daily of this homemade syrup can help relieve coughs, sore throats, hoarseness and nasal congestion in case of cold or flu.
If you are a lover of hot drinks, then I recommend making a tea. To 1 cup of warm water ( not too hot ), add 1 previously minced clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon of honey and the juice of ½ lemon. Stir well, let it infuse for 1-3 minutes and drink immediately. The garlic, lemon and honey tea is an excellent ally to start the day with energy, stimulate the stomach, and soothe sinusitis or aches in the body when you have the flu.
Articles of interest:
- Garlic with Honey – Benefits, Recipe, Dosage and Frequently Asked Questions
- Chinese Garlic – What is it for and what are its characteristics?
- Healthy Properties of Black Garlic – What Makes It So Special?
- Japanese Garlic – Characteristics, Properties, Uses and Contraindications
Garlic, lemon and ginger
Garlic with lemon and ginger : undoubtedly another of the most powerful combinations. Added to the benefits of garlic and lemon is the greatness of ginger, a tuber widely studied for its antioxidant, immunostimulating, slimming, antibiotic, energizing and anti-inflammatory properties.6.
Did you know that garlic, lemon and ginger tea is a typical Ayurvedic medicine remedy to lose weight and combat numerous ailments? You can prepare it yourself at home by following these steps:
- Heat 1 or 2 cups of water in a kettle. Meanwhile, thinly slice 1-2 cloves of garlic and grate a small piece of fresh ginger to make about 1 tablespoon of grated ginger.
- Once the water is hot, remove from the heat, let it cool slightly and add the ginger with the garlic ( the water should not be too hot or boiling ).
- Let sit for 5-10 minutes to release as much of the natural compounds and oils as possible. After that time, strain the tea while serving it in a cup. Now squeeze the juice of ½ lemon, stir and drink while it is still warm.
Drinking this infusion on a regular basis can help you strengthen your defenses, increase your energy levels, fight aging, improve skin and hair health, speed up your metabolism, burn more fat at rest, and lose weight. It is said that to see better results it is advisable to take it 1-2 times a day, starting on an empty stomach , and always use fresh ingredients.
See later:
- Take Garlic Fasting – Health Beneficial vs Not Recommended
- Milk with Garlic – Learn how to prepare it and know what it is for
Does taking garlic with lemon have side effects?
While combining garlic with lemon is safe when taken as part of the diet, its use can be counterproductive or cause adverse effects when ingested as a remedy or supplement. In this case, it is very important not to lose sight of the possible contraindications of both ingredients.
When taken in excess, garlic can cause 7:
- Bad breath and body odor
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, burning and general upset stomach
- Increased risk of bleeding
- Pressure levels too low
- Interaction with medications, among other side effects.
More in:
- Do you know the Contraindications of Garlic? Side Effects, Dosage and Precautions
- Garlic in Pregnancy – Is Garlic Good or Bad for Pregnant Women?
For its part, lemon can cause the following symptoms when consumed in excess 8 9:
- Stomach irritation (burning, heartburn, diarrhea)
- Exacerbation of gastric ulcers
- Erosion of tooth enamel
- Irritation of the oral mucosa
- Migraines
* Warning . People with a known allergy to garlic or lemon should avoid their consumption and use topically.
We hope that this article has been to your liking and that the information provided helps you to take better advantage of the healthy properties of garlic .
References:
- https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2446/2
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/
- https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1938/2
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-545/lemon
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268432512_An_overview_of_honey_Therapeutic_properties_and_contribution_in_nutrition_and_human_health
- https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0601/p1689.html
- https://nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic/ataglance.htm
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283476.php
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-545/lemon
My name is Louise Hammond, and I am the creator of this website, a place to find information about tubers, bulbs and medicinal roots. In Dreamsship.com I show the properties, benefits, characteristics, photos and images, ways of growing and how to make delicious meals from starchy vegetables.