The Amazing Health Benefits Of Garlic Will Surprise You

Common to the pantries of almost all households, garlic is probably the most versatile cooking ingredient in the world. Vegetables, herbs, spices, seasoning — you can use the pungent plant in any format you want, and it’ll be as delicious as ever! Now, we don’t know if garlic can ward off vampires, but we definitely know that it can keep several health hazards at bay, which frankly sounds far better. According to science, the best way to consume it is to chop, crush, or mince it to maximize its health benefits. Also, wait for at least ten minutes before you add it to your recipes, as exposure to heat can considerably reduce the beneficial powers of the herb. Want to know what powers we are talking about in the first place? Just keep reading.

Fighting Age-Related Problems

For centuries, garlic has been used to fight age-related health hazards like osteoarthritis and Alzheimer’s. Now science is catching up to explain the cause. According to a 2003 research article, this common spice can slow down or even prevent arthritis, colon cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cataract formation, and of course, skin aging. The secret compound here is caffeic acid, an important antioxidant protecting our body from worrisome cell-damaging free radicals.

Preventing Cancer

As per the American Institute for Cancer Research, the anti-mutagenic compounds in the herb can help with DNA repair and decrease inflammation, both of which are key in preventing cancer. Garlic also contains high phytochemicals, especially allicin, which prevents cancer cells or uncontrolled cell proliferation and fights off antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi. Crushing or chopping it is the best way to get the maximum benefits of this superstar phytochemical.

Boosting Immunity

We all grab vitamin C supplements at a stage of our lives to boost our immunity. Thankfully, garlic can come in handy here, too! With anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory properties, garlic helps in fighting off the common cold and flu. As a natural antibiotic, it also promotes the growth of NK (natural killer) cells, lymphocytes, T-cells, and other important immune cells in our body. Aged garlic extract is most effective to give the immunity system a boost.

Controlling High Blood Pressure

Recent studies have revealed that garlic can lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and interestingly, at a similar rate as prescribed medications, with almost zero side effects! This kitchen-staple herb can lower both diastolic and systolic blood pressures, especially beneficial for women over 55, who are 90% more prone to develop hypertension. So, adding garlic to your diet means considerably reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

5 Hacks to Restore Your Summer Outfits!

Remember when your grandmother used to talk about all the home remedies you can use to restore the clothes that have been in a truck for a while? Did you ignore them because you thought they were a complete waste of time? But, it seems that she wasn’t all that wrong. When you take out that summer dress all faded once winter has passed, you really need that advice back! Here are five hacks that you can use to restore all your summer outfits to their prime!

Rinse Them Off With This Magical Mix

If you open your truck and see that the bright colors of your summer dresses have faded away, this concoction can help you out. Try mixing half a cup of salt with half a cup of white vinegar. Put this mix in your washing machine and give your clothes a wash with some cold water. The mixture of vinegar and salt is known to break minerals, and that can help your garments restore their original bright colors.

Remove Stubborn Wrinkles With an Ice Bath

We all have too many clothes and too little space. This can often lead to stuffing them all in the trunk and wrinkling them pretty badly in the process. If this sounds familiar to you, then you are going to need some ice instead of a hot steamy iron this time. Just add some ice cubes to your dryer along with the wrinkled clothes and let them melt through the material. Once that happens, the steam will help you with the ceases. An alternative to the ice cubes is a damp towel.

Get That Zipper Moving

One very common struggle we have all been through is the stubborn stuck zipper. Due to being unused for a while, these can dry out and therefore not move. Instead of force-pulling and breaking it, try giving it a few good rubs of Vaseline, soap bar, candlestick, or some wax. These residues can soften up the chain, and you can wear your favorite pair of shorts again.

Replace a Button With Ease

This is another item that comes from your kitchen and can help bring your summer clothes back to their former glory. If you’ve lost buttons, just use the twist-ties that we use to seal bread packets. Thread them through the holes of the lost button. The extremely thin ties will be invisible to the onlooker and you’ll have fixed your wardrobe without any hassle.

Fix Those Saggy Bra Straps

Keeping your bras in the drawer for a long time can make their straps loose and droopy, taking away the support you need. You can’t restore their size back, but here is a quick fix for you to make them supportive again. Take a couple of paper clips and place one of them in the middle of the strap on your back. Attack the other end of the clip to the back side of another strap. This will form a little X on your back, tightening up your straps.