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Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
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Garlic Powder Benefits And Nutrition Fact

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Dr. A.A KhanGeneral Physician • 25 Years Exp.MBBS, Diploma in Cardiology
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Garlic powder is an excellent spice that should be kept on any spice rack. This can be an excellent replacement for fresh garlic. If you have ever cooked with garlic, then you know it is one of the most pungent and powerful flavors you can add to a dish, and garlic powder is much the same. It delivers a number of important nutrients, which provide various health benefits.

What is garlic powder?

Garlic powder is the ground form of dehydrated garlic, and it has a number of benefits over fresh garlic. When you dehydrate garlic, you extend its shelf life exponentially, so it can be stored for months or even years without losing its potency.

Furthermore, garlic powder can be a more subtle way of imbuing an entire dish with the flavor of garlic, rather than simply adding individually chopped or minced cloves. This powder is quite easy to make, and you will find it on many different meals, from pizza and ranch dressing to avocados and as an ingredient in barbecue sauce. The versatility and delicious flavor of garlic powder make it a favorite spice around the world.

What’s more? garlic powder also delivers many of the best parts of garlic, in terms of health. Using this spice regularly can give your cooking and your overall wellness a boost.

Garlic powder nutrition facts

Garlic powder has a wide range of nutrients, including vitamin c, iron, calcium, protein, dietary fiber, and a small amount of sodium and sugar. While the concentration of these nutrients is significantly less than fresh garlic cloves, particularly in vitamin c content, there are still a number of antioxidants and organic compounds like allicin that can boost your health.

garlic powder health benefits

The most important health benefits of garlic powder include its ability to lower overall cholesterol levels, improve the immune system, prevent certain cancers, and aid digestion, among others.

Balances cholesterol levels

Although garlic lacks allicin, it is the active ingredient in crushed garlic and has a positive effect on your cholesterol levels and reduces plaque buildup in the arteries and blood vessels. It can also help to lower blood pressure!

Prevents cancer

There are a number of antioxidants in garlic powder that can help to reduce oxidative stress throughout the body, relieve inflammation, and prevent cellular mutation, which can lead to cancer.

Boosts immune system

Although the vitamin c level is significantly depleted when garlic is dehydrated, there are still immune-boosting properties of this spice, coming partially from other minerals and antioxidants present in it.

Aids in digestion

If your stomach is upset or if you have indigestion, some of the organic compoundsfound in garlic powder, as well as the iron and dietary fiber, can help move your bowels smoothly and relieve constipation.

How to make garlic powder?

If you want to make garlic powder at home, it is surprisingly easy to do, provided you have raw garlic, a bit of time and patience. Follow the simple steps below and you’ll have your homemade garlic powder before you know it! the only component in garlic powder is garlic itself, although many people add salt to the mixture, which is then called garlic salt.

Step 1 – peel as many garlic cloves as you want to use (3-4 bulbs is good for a seasonal supply).

Step 2 – slice them thinly and then place them on a plate.

Step 3 – turn the oven to 175 degrees and heat the garlic cloves until they are completely dry.

Step 4 – once they are completely dehydrated, grind them in a blender or with a mortar and pestle.

Step 5 – strain the mixture so only the powder remains.

Step 6 – store in an airtight spice jar between uses.

Side effects of garlic powder

There are some dangers of consuming too much of this powder, as well as potential risks for people with certain medical conditions. The most common problems include gastrointestinal distress, problems with bleeding disorders, bad breath, muscle aches, and dizziness, among others. If you consume garlic powder in moderation, you have little risk of experiencing these side effects.

  • Bleeding disorders – for people who consume an excessive amount of garlic powder, bleeding problems have been known to worsen, so always use this spice in moderation.
  • Bad breath – as with any garlic product, this powder has a powerful smell, which can lead to bad breath, although it can also help to eliminate oral infections!
  • Muscle ache – when too much of this herb is ingested, or if you suffer from a mild allergy, it could cause muscle spasms or aches.
  • Stomach issues – stomach aches, cramping and bloating can happen if too much of this powder is consumed.
  • Dizziness and headache – some people report symptoms of headaches and dizziness, as well as lightheadedness, sweating, fatigue, and nausea if they use too much of this spice at one time.
     
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