Garlic – nature’s super food

We’re passionate about advising the elderly and helping our own elderly service users to maintain a healthy diet.

We have previously blogged about our tips for the elderly to eat well and have even talked about the humble potato and how it can keep you fit and well and how eating kale can keep your health in check too, but today we’re talking about the benefits for the elderly, and people of any age for that matter, of nature’s very own super food – garlic.

Although it might not be brilliant for your breath the morning after eating it, garlic does the power of good, so say the experts.

It contains Allicin that has antifungal and antibacterial properties and has traditionally been used as a remedy for sore throats. It is packed with vitamins and minerals that are vital to the immune system, including vitamin C, B6, selenium and manganese. If you’re fighting an infection, consuming 2 to 4 cloves per day, or 1,200mg of garlic extract, can really help.

Research has also shown that it can decrease osteoarthritis in women, contains other compounds that have been found to help protect cells in the heart and also lowers blood pressure.

So, next time you are preparing a meal for yourself or an elderly loved-one, be sure to be generous with the garlic!