Green garlic is also popularly known as the spring garlic. This is a variety of garlic that hasn't grown properly and is still used in the preparation of dishes. It is directly pulled out of the ground before it starts to form the cloves of garlic which are generally consumed by people. These garlic only have small bulbs which are not properly grown. It is also called baby garlic in many regions and it is consumed by people because of its different taste as well as texture. There are special reasons why this garlic is consumed even before it gets its proper state.
This is because half-grown garlic has a mild, sweet and fresh taste which is not what you get if you let the garlic grow properly. This is the stage of garlic growth where you can use the whole plant for cooking and eating purposes. This garlic also flatters the taste of almost every other ingredient that is used in the preparation of your favourite food. It is specifically used in the preparation of pasta, meat, dishes, soups, and broths. It also adds a very refreshing touch to the food.
Let's have a look at the health and taste benefits of eating green garlic, especially in the winter season.
* Packed With Antioxidants
Green garlic is full of multiple antioxidants, especially Allicin. It is also an active ingredient that helps in reducing bad cholesterol in the body as well as inflammation. It protects the body against colds, coughs and flu. This powerful antioxidant also contributes towards boosting the immunity of the body and helps in cell regeneration. Some have also found that Allicin is present in green garlic and also prevents the growth of cancer cells in the body. All over green garlic has a lot of health benefits.
* Winter Speciality
Green garlic is planted just before the onset of winter. As this plant grows quickly, it is abundantly available during January and February. The point at which the garlic plant is extracted out of the soil. To get the perfect green garlic is the stage where the bulbs are not properly formed. This is the reason why green garlic has a very fresh as well as mild flavour. It is also highly concentrated with good antioxidants in the body.
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* Digestive Benefits
Green garlic has a lot of anti-inflammatory properties that can help in soothing irritation or inflammation in the gut. This helps speed up the process of digestion and prevents discomfort in the body. The antibiotic properties in garlic also help to ensure that there is a proper bacterial balance maintained in the stomach. it ensures that the pH level of the stomach is not disturbed. Eating green garlic may help you improve the digestive health of your body.
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* Blood Circulation
Green garlic has a high content of vitamin C which makes it easy for the blood to absorb iron. Also, green garlic itself has a high level of iron and other important minerals. This makes it an excellent herb that helps in boosting blood circulation. The production of more red blood cells means there is more oxygenation in the body. It helps in the faster delivery of essential nutrients and minerals to every part of the body.
* Good For Heart
Green garlic may also improve your overall cardiovascular health. In research published by the Royal College of Physicians of London, it has been shown that Allicin which is actively present in both normal garlic and green garlic can potentially lower the bad cholesterol levels in the body and enhance the good cholesterol levels in the body. Additionally, it can also help in maintaining the BP of the body and reduce the risk of heart attack and strokes.
* Detoxification of Body
Green garlic is a potential diuretic, which means that it can help flush out unnecessary particles from the kidney and help clean the blood more effectively. A lot of time a digestive tract gets blocked because of unwanted particles in a system. Consumption of green garlic may help in reducing this problem and you might see instant benefits from the same.
These are some potential benefits of consuming green garlic. Green garlic has an outer appearance which is very similar to green onions. But these two are very different from each other. Always make sure that you properly store Green garlic to keep it fresh. You have to wrap it in a damp paper towel and then place it in a plastic bag. This will help in keeping the flavour of green garlic fresh for at least a week. You can use this flavourful herb in a multitude of recipes.