Stay Away From Garlic If You Are In These 6 Types Of People
In keeping with the old adage, “one man’s medicine, is another man’s poison,” our article below covers the six types of people most at risk from having adverse reactions to having eaten garlic. While garlic is a much recognized and touted source of nutrition and anti-fungal properties, the fact remains that there is an ounce of caution that needs to be exercised by certain individuals.
Those who are most susceptible to garlic overload, stop immediately your consumption of garlic if you have any of the following health issues:
1- People With Liver Problems
The thing to look out for the most are reactions that the garlic may produce with the liver if one is on liver medication. As such, garlic may decrease the liver’s breakdown of some medications or even decrease the effectiveness of the medications taken for liver issues. Really, all medications, especially birth control medications, are prone to some adverse interactions with garlic in any form.
2- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Stomach Issues, Digestive Problems Or Non-bacterial Diarrhea
Eating too much garlic or onions may aggravate or irritate one’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Garlic may also cause some GI counter indications when eaten with stomach medications.
3- People With Eye Diseases
While the use of garlic has for centuries been used to treat the initial stages of cataracts, large amounts of garlic may, in fact, increase the chances of bleeding in the eye. Hyphema, retinal conditions, subconjunctival hemorrhage and glaucoma all have an increased risk to worsen on eating too much garlic.
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4- Those Preparing For Surgeries
If you are bleeding as with a bleeding ulcer or preparing for surgery, fresh garlic especially shows a propensity to increase bleeding in some cases. That being said, garlic may in fact even prolong bleeding. Concerning counter indications, one 2007 medical report study indicated that eating too much garlic can interfere with blood clotting properties of some medications.
5- Women Who Are Pregnant Or Are Breastfeeding
While it’s generally considered safe to consume “moderate” amounts of raw garlic during a pregnancy or periods of breastfeeding, in medicinal, therapeutic amounts, it may prove inadvisable.
6- People With Either Normal Or Low Blood Pressure
If you fall within a normal range of blood pressure, or already have low blood pressure, then you may run the risk of lowering your blood pressure to an even lower range. Sparingly eating garlic in moderate amounts is recommended.
The Benefits Of Garlic
While garlic may have a detrimental effect on those persons described above, its value as a food is virtual without limits. For starters, the allicin compound of garlic has properties that are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antioxidant.
It’s also a large source of selenium that makes it a vibrant healing agent for circulatory, digestive and immunological problems and helps in lowering blood pressure.
RELATED ARTICLE: The Right Way To Consume Raw Garlic To Flush Out Parasites From Your Body
Side Effects
When taken raw, garlic may cause bad breath, heartburn, gas, nausea, body odor and a lingering pungent taste in the mouth. However, this depends on the body chemistry of the individual.
Summary:
Garlic can be a blessing, yet it must be taken with caution. As potent as it is, not taken in a prudent manner may trigger some adverse reactions when pitted against some medications or particular health issues.
Conclusion:
READ ALSO: Why You Should Eat Garlic On An Empty Stomach
In this writer’s opinion, the health and nutritional benefits of garlic far outweigh the counter indications of garlic, if there are any unless one happens to be a vampire, of course. In other words, taken cautiously, one small garlic clove a day, or every two days, is ideal in maintaining a safe dose of this noblest of herbs-as well as a culinary delight.
