Why Black Garlic Is a Superfood You Should Try
Why Black Garlic Is a Superfood You Should Try
Black garlic is raw garlic that people have aged under controlled high-temperature, high-humidity conditions for several weeks. The garlic cloves turn brown, then eventually black as a result of the Millard reaction.
In addition to having black cloves, black garlic has a milder flavor and a more delicate, sticky consistency than raw garlic.
Black garlic also offers a number of health benefits that may outweigh those of raw garlic, which hasn’t been aged.
This article reviews 6 of the potential health benefits black garlic may offer.
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| Close-up of black garlic cloves with deep black interior and soft texture. |
What Is Black Garlic?
When regular garlic is aged using heat and undergoes a type of chemical reaction (the Maillard reaction), it turns into black garlic. The latter has a distinctive dark color and also a different taste as well as texture than raw garlic. The allicin content is lowered, but this garlic is still great for health, as we shall discuss below. As for its favour, the pungency is mellowed in black garlic. It has a slightly sweet, caramelized taste with a tangy hint - which has led some to call it umami. Black garlic is especially used in Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines.
5 reasons to try black garlic
1. A treasure trove of antioxidants
Black garlic is a veritable goldmine of antioxidants. These powerful compounds help protect our bodies from damage caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage our cells and contribute to many chronic diseases. Antioxidants are essential to keep our bodies healthy and to fight against oxidative stress, which is at the root of many degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. By consuming black garlic regularly, you can boost your immune system and improve your overall health.
2. An ally for your heart
Black garlic is also known for its cardiovascular benefits. It helps lower LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) and increase HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol). That's great news for your heart, because high LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, black garlic can help regulate blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, so by including black garlic in your diet, you can help support your heart health and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
3. A boost for your digestion
Black garlic can also improve your digestion. It is rich in fiber, which helps regulate intestinal transit and prevent constipation. Fiber is essential for good digestive health because it adds bulk to your stool and makes it easier to pass through your digestive system. Additionally, black garlic can help balance gut flora, which is essential for good digestion and overall good health. A healthy gut flora can improve your digestion, increase your nutrient absorption, and even boost your immune system.
4. Support for your brain
Black garlic is not only good for your body, it is also good for your brain. It contains compounds that may help protect neurons from damage and inflammation. These compounds, called antioxidants, may help protect your brain against oxidative stress, which is a major factor in cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, some research suggests that black garlic may help improve memory and cognition. By consuming black garlic, you can support your brain health and improve your cognitive performance.
5. A delight for your taste buds
Finally, black garlic is simply delicious. It has a sweet and complex flavor, with hints of licorice, balsamic and caramel. It can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to grilled meats, pastas and risottos. Black garlic can add a touch of sophistication to any dish and delight your taste buds. Also, unlike white garlic, black garlic does not cause bad breath, so you can enjoy it without worrying about the consequences.
Black garlic – superfood!
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| Black Garlic-Superfood |
Superfoods have been in vogue for some time but none are more interesting and unusual as black garlic. It’s been gaining popularity amongst foodies for some time now as it has an abundance of health benefits, an unusual flavour and 18-month shelf life.
Despite its appearance, black garlic is not a different member of the white garlic family. Originally discovered in Korea, it was introduced to the health and food markets around five years ago. It’s created when white garlic is exposed to carefully controlled heat and humidity for 40 days.
This ages the bulb and gives the cloves their black colour and jelly-like consistency. The flavour of the black garlic is as unusual as its appearance. It has a sweet taste with a hint of balsamic, fruit, toffee, dark chocolate and caramelized onion and, as an added bonus, it doesn’t give your breath the famous pong associated with normal garlic!
On top of this, the reported health benefits are impressive. The month-long process to create the black bulbs makes a sort of super-garlic. It’s thought to help lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of cancer. It offers a boosted protection against infections and has twice the antioxidants compared to its white counterpart. This makes it a useful food for helping fight chronic disease such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s and arthritis. The only thing it won’t do is ward off the vampires!
In conclusion, black garlic is a superfood that deserves to be discovered. Whether you're looking for a health boost, a new ingredient for your recipes , or just a new culinary experience, black garlic has a lot to offer. So why not try it today? You might be pleasantly surprised by its many benefits.
Data source:
https://www.francoislambert.one/en/blogs/blogue-de-francois/5-raisons-dessayer-lail-noir-des-aujourdhui?
https://www.macphie.com/insight/black-garlic-superfood
#Blackgarlic #Blackgarlicbenefits #Superfood #Fermentedfoods #Health&nutrition
#Antioxidants #Hearthealth #Immune-Boostingfoods #Healthyeating

