Know in one minute about garlic turmeric
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Introduction
Garlic (Allium sativum) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) have been used as traditional medicine for different diseases. Garlic turmeric is well-known spices that can add flavor and might offer natural keys to unlock many complications.
Allicin is the main component of garlic which is the reason for its characteristic odor, flavor, and its biological properties. Alternatively, curcumin found in turmeric is the main yellow bioactive component that has a wide spectrum of biological actions. This article looks at the benefits and side effects of garlic and turmeric alone or mixture in health.
Garlic benefits
1. Boost immunity
The intake of garlic helps to enhance the functioning of the immune system by increasing the white blood cell counts. It also boosts energy, reduces oxidative stress and fatigue (1).
2. Treat inflammation
Garlic treats metabolic syndrome like obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and different types of cancer by reducing inflammation (2). It also decreases gum, gastric inflammation and enhances the good bacteria in the gut (3).
3. Treat cold and cough
Garlic helps to inhibit the growth of germs that cause colds and flu. Moreover, it also helps to improve immunity against the COVID-19 infection (4).
4. Antimicrobial properties
Garlic contains organosulfur compounds that fight against HIV (5). It also inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi (6).
5. Keep brain healthy
Garlic is rich in allicin (S-allyl cysteine) that enhances memory, prevents brain tissue oxidative damage, and protects the cells from death (7).
It is also treated short-term memory recognition and decreases inflammation in the brain. Thus garlic improves cognitive function in elderly dementia and Alzheimer’s disease patients (8).
Turmeric benefits
1. Anti-microbial properties
Curcumin found in turmeric fights against different types of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites (9). Thus, turmeric protects the body from various infections such as vaginal infections, HIV-AIDS (10).
2. Treat cancer
Turmeric contains curcumin that fights against different cancer like pancreatic, lung, ovarian, prostate, oral, colorectal, breast, and even melanoma cells.
Furthermore, curcumin also reduces the side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, resulting in improving patients’ quality of life (11).
3. Good for the brain
Turmeric contains antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and ascorbic acid. These compounds enhance memory and reduce inflammation of the brain. Thus daily use of turmeric is effective in Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and traumatic brain injury (12).
4. Boost heart health
Turmeric is rich in polyphenol (curcumin) that decreases the cholesterol levels in the blood. Therefore, turmeric prevents blood clot formation and protects from heart disease (13).
5. Treat pain
Turmeric acts like an anti-inflammatory drug that reduces swelling and pain in the bone as well as joints and treats arthritis. It also treats cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation (14).
6. Treat lung infection
Turmeric obstructs the development and deterioration of allergic airway inflammation. Thus, turmeric gives relief from bronchial asthma (15).
Furthermore, curcumin in turmeric fights against a virus known as SARS-CoV-2 by direct killing of the virus. It also induces antiviral responses in the body and protects from severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thus turmeric is safe and well-tolerated in healthy and corona patients (16).
Garlic with turmeric combined benefits
1. Combination outcome is better than individual
Garlic may cause unpleasant breath and body odor however the combination of garlic with turmeric may alleviate this problem (17).
A research study suggested that allium’s (garlic) strong scent was covered by Curcuma (turmeric). Moreover, the mixture of garlic and turmeric gave a better result on health than their alone usage (18).
2. Manage diabetes
Garlic in combination with turmeric (11.20 g each for three months) lowers blood glucose levels. Moreover, this combined mixture also reversed diabetic proteinuria (too much protein in urine) and body-weight loss (19).
3. Lower cholesterol level
The garlic-turmeric extract helps to lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood. Moreover, they also increase the good cholesterol level in the body without any side effects on the liver and kidney (20).
4. Reduce the risk of heart disease
The mixture of garlic, turmeric, and ginger prevents liver damage, reduces oxidative stress, and the risk of heart disease (21).
5. Antioxidant properties
The combination of these two can scavenge harmful radicals and protect the body from various diseases. This combination has higher antioxidant activity than either alone (22).
6. Antifungal properties
Compounds such as curcumin and allicin obtained from garlic and turmeric are effective against fungal infection caused by Candida albicans (23).
7. Treat cancer
Mixtures of turmeric, ginger, and garlic inhibit the growth of cancer cells and induce cell death (24).
Side effect of garlic
Garlic is considered safe by the US Food and Drug Administration. Although, it may cause damage to the heart, liver, and kidney at higher doses.
The common side effects include garlic breath: body odor, and bad taste that varies in individuals. It also causes heartburn, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, headache, low blood pressure, sweating, and dizziness (25).
Moreover, garlic can enhance the pharmacological effect of anticoagulants like warfarin and fluindione. Thus, take precautions in patients on an oral anticoagulant. Furthermore, garlic may increase the effectiveness of drugs that reduce blood sugar levels thus consult with the doctor if you are diabetic (26).
Side effects of turmeric
Turmeric may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn, or kidney stones (27). It also increases the risk of bleeding or hemorrhages in people with bleeding disorders.
A high dosage of turmeric may also cause anemia because it binds with the available iron in the gut and prevents its absorption (28).
Turmeric can lower blood sugar and blood pressure. Thus, take precautions before consumption because it may cause additive effects if taken with oral anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensives drugs.
Furthermore, turmeric may increase stomach acid levels but it may interact with antacids and inhibit their effectiveness (29).
Side effects of garlic with turmeric
A research study suggested that few patients receiving garlic with turmeric complained of burn sensation on abdominal, gastric pain.
Q&A
1. What happens adding turmeric to ginger-garlic paste?
When turmeric is mixed with ginger and garlic not only it enhances the flavor but also boosts immunity. Moreover, the mixture of three can alleviate the risks of metabolic syndrome like obesity and diabetes as well as heart-related complications (30).
2. Turmeric vs. flaxseed vs. garlic oil for blood thinning which is best with no side effects?
Turmeric, flaxseed, or garlic oil are effective to maintain anticoagulant status (blood-thinning) of blood.
The flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that act as a blood-thinning agent. Alternatively, turmeric contains curcumin that inhibits coagulation and prevents blood clotting.
However, more experimental and/or clinical data is needed to know the interactions between turmeric or flax seed and anti-platelet drugs.
On the other hand, garlic oil contains allicin which is a potent blood thinner. A high intake of garlic may increase the risk of bleeding due to interaction with blood thinner drugs (31).
Although they all are natural products, they can interfere with other blood thinner drugs like warfarin and increase the chance of bleeding. Thus, before intake turmeric, flaxseed, or garlic oil at a high amount always consult with the doctor.
3. What would happen to your body if you eat raw ginger, cayenne pepper, garlic, and turmeric?
Intake of a low amount of raw ginger, cayenne pepper, garlic, and turmeric is good for health. However, ingestion of these herbs at a high dosage may cause gastrointestinal problems like burning sensations, upset stomach, or heartburn.
4. What is garlic turmeric?
Garlic and turmeric not only add an aroma and taste to food but also boost immunity. Both are well-tolerated and loaded with antioxidants that protect the body from various diseases. Garlic and turmeric have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-microbial properties.
5.Turmeric or garlic, which is better?
Turmeric and garlic both have positive effects on the treatment of various diseases. Although a study reported that garlic appears more effectively than turmeric for the treatment of heart disease, obesity in a diabetic person (21, 32). Moreover, garlic also inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli and prevents its infection (33).
On the other hand, turmeric is better to fight against human cancer cells than garlic (34). In short, turmeric and garlic appear to be extremely safe, well-tolerated and advised to avoid infection with viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
Edited By: Dr. Asha Jyoti Bharati