Garlic Side Effects – Everything You Should Be Warned Against
Almost all of the time, when we are sick, what first comes into our mind is take medications to treat it. And, truth be told, we take for granted the different food products that our cuisine offers. After all, we can find the secret to treat some sores and conditions not in the drugstore, but in the comfort of our own kitchen. Take, for instance, did you know that you can make home remedies for cold using garlic?! Also, you can get rid of cold sores by using garlic!
As you may know, garlic falls into the category of herbs. According to Everyday Health, garlic is also known as Ail, Ajo, Allii Sativi Bulbus, Allium, Allium sativum, Camphor of the Poor, Da Suan, Lasun, Lasuna, Nectar of the Gods, Poor Man’s Treacle, Rason, Rust Treacle, or Stinking Rose.
Now, we all know that, most of the time, garlic is used as a food product. And, when used as such, it is less likely to produce health benefits or side effects. However, garlic is not used only in the cuisine as a food product but as a medicinal product as well. And, when it is used as such, it can, in fact, produce both, desired and unwanted effects on the body as well.
Side Effects Of Garlic
Even though some surprising effective garlic uses are brought in our life, let us stop at the unwanted, unwelcomed, and harmful effects that consuming raw garlic brings.
1. Bad For Liver
In case you didn’t know, the liver performs so many crucial functions. From blood purification, fat metabolism, protein metabolism, to removing ammonia from our body. And, since according to studies garlic is loaded with allicin (a compound) this can cause liver toxicity if taken in large quantities.
2. Diarrhea
Garlic consists of gas-forming compounds like sulfur, and, due to this, it triggers diarrhea especially when consuming it in an empty stomach. In case you didn’t know, ginger roots can be used for treating diarrhea.
3. Nausea, Vomiting, and Heartburn
Besides diarrhea that the consumption of garlic in an empty stomach can cause, it also can lead to heartburn, nausea, and vomiting, according to a report published by the National Cancer Institute of U.S. While, according to a report which was published by the Harvard Medical School, garlic consists of specific compounds which can cause GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease.)
Don’t miss out: From Nausea To Period Cramps, Here Are Six Health Benefits Of Ginger
4. Bad Odor
Since garlic consists of the sulfur compound, it can leave you with bad breath when consumed in excess. And, we don’t want that, now, do we?!
5. Aggravates Bleeding
Some people take warfarin, or aspirin for blood-thinning, however, garlic is a natural blood thinner. So when it is consumed along with blood-thinning medicines, it can be dangerous and increase the risk of internal bleeding. So, make sure not to consume these two at the same time.
6. Not Good For Pregnant And Nursing Women
Pregnant or lactating mothers should avoid eating garlic during this period as it may induce labor in pregnant women. Nursing mothers should avoid it as it alters the taste of milk.
Related: Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy
7. Cause Dizziness
From time to time, we all struggle with low or high blood pressure. And, eating garlic in excess, according to studies can lower blood pressure as well as lead to several related symptoms.
8. Induce Sweating
Consuming garlic for a prolonged time may lead to excessive sweating according to various clinical studies.
9. Aggravates Vaginal Infection
You have probably heard that using garlic for vaginal yeast infection is a home remedy. However, it is said that it can aggravate the yeast infection by irritating the tender tissues of the vagina.
10. Might Cause Vision Changes
Consuming too much garlic can lead to hyphema. Hyphema is a condition which causes bleeding inside the anterior chamber of the eye – the space between the iris and the cornea. Troubling with this condition, it can cause loss of vision.
*On a side note, make sure to consume the right amount of garlic since we don’t want any of the mentioned above side effects of garlic.