Most people throw out old garlic once it’s grown a bright green shoot. While garlic can grow harmful mold if left in the fridge, a little sprout actually increases the bulb’s nutritional and medicinal profile.
Amazing Benefits of Garlic
It’s no secret that garlic is a true medicinal gem. It’s antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties have been taken advantage of for the last few millennia (1). The bulb is a reputable and natural way to reduce cholesterol levels, blood pressure and heart disease risk. It even may boost the immune system and help fight cancer. It’s also used to treat infections and non-poisonous snake bites (2).
This is all possible thanks to allicin, garlic’s most famous active compound, and alliin, which lowers levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and fights high levels of triglyceride, insulin, uric acid, and glucose in the blood. Alliin can also improve insulin sensitivity in diabetics (3).