Why Garlic is Good for Gut Health. Garlic is naturally high in inulin, a type of non-digestible carbohydrate or “functional fiber” that feeds the good bacteria in your digestive system. Basically, it acts as fuel for those bacteria to do their job better, which makes your gut function better overall.
Garlic also is known as a gut anti-inflammatory agent, and it can be helpful for those with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
Contraindications, Adverse Effects, Interactions
The most common side effect of ingested garlic is breath and body odor. Consumption of excessive amounts of raw garlic, especially on an empty stomach, can cause gastrointestinal upset, flatulence, and changes in the intestinal flora.
According to several studies, it is found that garlic is loaded with a compound called allicin, which can cause liver toxicity if taken in large quantities.
Garlic and onion contain fructans. These are a specific type of carbohydrate. They're not bad for your health in general, but they can sometimes trigger symptoms in people with IBS. Realizing that garlic and onion give you IBS symptoms can be devastating.
An anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, good quality sleep, and probiotics are all strategies to put in place before trying antimicrobials or antibiotics to get rid of bad bacteria.
Supplements like probiotics, collagen, omega-3 fatty acids, and l-glutamine can all help you heal and seal your gut (but you may not need them all at once). Getting enough sleep and reducing stress can improve your gut health.
Numerous studies reveal the antibacterial properties of garlic against a variety of bacteria. Garlic is often used to reduce bacteria in small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) where there is an overgrowth of bacteria leading to a variety of unpleasant gut symptoms.
Garlic contains allicin. This is a strong antibiotic. It's released when cloves are crushed or chewed. Garlic has been used as an antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal agent.
Improves Digestion
It benefits the intestines and reduces inflammation. Eating raw garlic helps to clear out intestinal worms. The good thing is that it destroys the bad bacteria and protects the good bacteria in the gut.
Garlic – In addition to supporting your heart and circulation, garlic has antibacterial, ant-parasitic and antiviral compounds that help remove toxins, parasites and pathogens from the colon.
You shouldn't add too much garlic to your diet, too quickly. "One to two cloves a day should be the maximum consumed by anyone," says Tracey Brigman, a food and nutrition expert at the University of Georgia. Eating more than that may cause upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, or bad breath.
Multiple lab studies have shown that the allicin in garlic can prevent fungal growth and even prevent the growth of candida albicans, the specific fungus that usually causes yeast infections.
Garlic is a strong antimicrobial agent and acts as an inhibitor on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Numerous research studies have shown garlic to be an effective treatment for yeast and fungal infections, especially Candida overgrowth. Not only that, garlic is a proven immune-booster and active detoxifier. It can reduce cholesterol and help to control your blood sugar levels.
Garlic is naturally high in inulin, a type of non-digestible carbohydrate or “functional fiber” that feeds the good bacteria in your digestive system. Basically, it acts as fuel for those bacteria to do their job better, which makes your gut function better overall.
How long does it take for your body to digest/absorb garlic? Your body will digest the water-soluble substances present in garlic extract within around 24 hours, but diallyl disulphide and other fat-soluble substances in garlic take longer to absorb.