Probably, you just saw black garlic in the grocery stores for the first time, and you’re wondering if they’re edible or not. To your surprise, a customer picks several black garlic bulbs. Out of curiosity, you google the health benefits of black garlic.
Have your sit and put the black cloves in a bowl as I unveil the benefits you could lose if you threw away those pieces.
First, black garlic is healthy and is used as a traditional medicine in China and India. Black garlic has amazing health benefits; for example,
- It increases libido
- Lowers risk of chronic diseases
- Boosts the health of your brain
- Regulates blood glucose
- Aids in weight loss
Below, I will discuss these beneficial effects at length. Continue reading.
What Is Black Garlic?
White garlic becomes black after undergoing extensive fermentation and aging process. The white garlic turns black through this process, and its taste also changes. Its texture changes to tender, too.
The white garlic is stored between 60 and 87C (140 and 190 ℉) at high humidity for 30 to 40 days.
If you haven’t eaten black garlic in the past, it might feel like you’re eating roasted garlic! However, roasted and black garlic have different tastes.
Black garlic remains at the same temperature for many days, contrary to roasted garlic, whose sugars are caramelized at high heat. The slow and low process of making the white garlic black gives it a sticky texture with a molasses-like, sweet, and subtle flavor profile.
Health Benefits Of Black Garlic
Black garlic is rich in many nutrients that give you excellent health benefits. Take, for example, 15 grams of fresh peeled black garlic is packed with the following nutrients: Proteins (5 grams), calories (20), fat (1 gram), sugar (4 grams), fiber (5 grams), and carbs (2 grams).
In addition, black garlic is rich in folate, magnesium, Vitamin C, iron, manganese, B Vitamins (B6, B1, B3, and B2), phosphorus, iron, calcium, and zinc.
Below, let’s look at the black garlic benefits, including disease prevention.
It Increases Libido
Black garlic increases libido in men. Black and white garlic have antioxidants that increase energy levels in men and boost blood flow.
So, when a man eats black garlic often, he becomes better in bed, especially if he couples it with the Best and Easy DIY Abductor Exercises At Home.
Lowers Risk Of Chronic Diseases
Since black garlic has more potent antioxidants than raw garlic, it’s an excellent choice for preventing oxidative damage and chronic diseases. Black garlic is two to three times higher in antioxidants, which are essential as they safeguard the body’s cells from free radicals, thereby protecting your body against the growth of cancer cells and heart disease.
The fermentation process is responsible for this.
Take, for example, heart disease. Black fresh garlic reduces bad cholesterol levels in the body and increases the good cholesterol (HDL).
Consequently, chronic inflammation in the arteries and the heart decreases, and the blood flow increases. Therefore, the lipid profile improves, which is a great way to safeguard your heart health.
High antioxidant levels also strengthen your immune system. Hence, your body can guard itself against other minor diseases, such as colds and coughs.
Also, besides preventing digestive tract problems, this garlic is also a great choice for preventing viral diseases and bacterial infections in your body.
Boosts The Health Of Your Brain
Cell damage in the brain results in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in older adults.
Eating black garlic often lowers the chances of developing these age-related diseases because it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that repair these cells.
Regulates Blood Glucose
Though additional research is needed, some claim that black garlic regulates insulin and effectively manages blood sugar levels.
The studies further claim that the probiotic in the black garlic aids in preventing gestational diabetes. This could help lower blood sugar levels and appetite slightly.
Lower blood sugar levels minimize complications related to diabetes.
However, ALWAYS talk to your doctor before eating black garlic if you have blood sugar so he can advise you accordingly.
Aids In Weight Loss
Garlic boosts metabolism, which helps you to lose weight. Eating garlic on an empty stomach keeps you full longer, suppressing your appetite.
That is why one of the benefits of garlic and honey is weight loss.
Also, animal studies prove that black garlic is rich in anti-obesity properties. Animals that were fed on garlic had less weight. Besides, the abdominal fat layer was thinner than animals that didn’t eat black garlic.
How Safe Is Black Garlic?
Black garlic is healthy for eating. The aging and fermentation processes increase the health benefits of garlic, thereby making it better than raw, white garlic.
However, there are a few side effects of black garlic that you might want to know. People with blood clotting problems may want to avoid black garlic because it has blood-thinning properties, too.
Also, people allergic to garlic might want to avoid adding it to their diet.
Black garlic also interacts with human immunodeficiency virus infection and high blood pressure medications.
What Is The Use of Black Garlic?
Black garlic has a strong, sweet taste. Unlike fresh garlic, which has a pungent smell, black garlic has a mild smell. It’s best to use it in small amounts, especially when eating it for the first time. Using it as a cereal flavor in your diet is also better.
Below are other ways you can use black garlic.
- You can sauce black garlic with some onions to garnish food.
- Mash it in potatoes, hummus, sweet potatoes, and other delicious dips.
- Mix black garlic with balsamic vinaigrette and red meat, fish, or vegetable salad.
- Dice and use a topping for salads, pizza, and other dishes
- Chop the garlic and mix it into a delicious olive tapenade.
- Mix with vinegar or butter to season vegetable salads or steak.
- You can also crash it to make black garlic powder, which you can add to stews as a spice.
What Time Of Day Should I Take Black Garlic?
You can eat black garlic or black garlic supplements at any time of the day. However, it’s best to eat them in the morning.
Besides the uses I have mentioned above, you can add black garlic to your breakfast soup, condiments, stew, or oriental curries. Two to three black garlic cloves will give your meal a sweet-savory flavor.
Is It OK to Eat Black Garlic Every Day?
You can eat black garlic daily unless you’re allergic to it or taking blood thinners or other medicines that interact with garlic.
Thankfully, black garlic doesn’t cause bad breath. Therefore, you can eat several cloves daily to boost your immune system and brain function or to lose weight without any fear. Nevertheless, it’s always a great idea to seek advice from your doctor.
How To Prepare Your Own Black Garlic
It’s uncommon to find black garlic in your grocery stores. But it’s easy to make it at home using your slow cooker or dehydrator.
Here’s how to get the black color on your white garlic using a slow cooker.
- Remove the garlic paperlike layer because it carries debris and dirt. If the garlic base has some roots, cut them off.
- Using an aluminum foil, wrap the bulbs independently without allowing any moisture to escape. The moisture allows the Maillard chemical reaction to take place effectively.
- Put the garlic bulbs in a rice or slow cooker and use a low heat setting to start the cooking process, so a setting of about 140℉ is okay.
- Cover the cooker and turn it on.
- Wait for at least 4 weeks for the garlic to be ready. You can remove a clove of garlic to test and verify if the flavor, color, and texture are great. If not, allow one more week.
- If you can’t use all the black garlic, store it in an airtight container; it will last several weeks without going bad. If you freeze black garlic, it will last up to one year.
Using a dehydrator
- Wrap the head of the white garlic in plastic. Use tinfoil to wrap again several times.
- Trap all the moisture to stop the cloves from drying by tightly covering the garlic.
- Place the tightly covered garlic in the dehydrator, but don’t use high temperatures. Use a temperature of 130℉.
- The black garlic should be ready after 3 to 5 weeks.
Parting Lines
You can’t afford to miss the health benefits of black garlic anymore. Libido improvement, better brain function, high immune system, weight loss, blood glucose regulation, and lowered risk of chronic diseases are the major benefits of eating black garlic.
Simply make some home in only 3 to 5 weeks. The results will be great whether you use a dehydrator or a slow cooker.
As always, your doctor should be the one to consult to know if you should start eating black garlic or not based on your health status.
