Is Garlic Acidic or Alkaline?

Garlic is a common herb majorly used as a spice. You can use it in its fresh form, powder, or garlic oil to add flavor to foods and beverages.

Apart from being used as a food flavoring, garlic can be used as a medicine to prevent and treat a wide range of conditions and diseases.

Garlic is known to treat health conditions such as high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol, and hardening of the arteries.

Here is more information on garlic, its properties, and whether or not it’s good for you.

Garlic is acidic. It has a pH of 5.8 which means it is not far from being a neutral vegetable. If you are prone to acid reflux, it is best if you avoid this spice. Plus, although it is used to treat a wide range of diseases, you are prone to serious side effects if you consume too much garlic. 

Is Garlic Good Or Bad For You?

In contrast to what most people know, garlic may not be as good as you portray it to be. Here is why. 

First, eating fresh garlic on an empty stomach will lead to nausea, heartburn, and even vomiting. Garlic has been associated with gastroesophageal reflux diseases. 

Second, while on an alkaline diet, garlic may not be a worthy addition to your diet due to its acidic nature. To stay healthy, you need to maintain an alkaline environment in your body. Eating acidic foods like garlic will not help with this. 

Third, did you know that taking too much garlic is harmful to your liver? Garlic is loaded with allicin that can cause severe liver toxicity. Allicin has also been associated with nausea, heartburn, and diarrhea. 

Fourth, when cooking your food, go easy on the garlic. It may boost the flavor of your food but be wary of the side effects of consuming too much of it. Garlic has gas-forming components like Sulphur which may trigger diarrhea. 

Garlic is a fructan. This means that it contains a carbohydrate compound that is relatively difficult to digest. The property also makes garlic a chief culprit in causing bloating, gas, and general discomfort. To be safe, avoid overeating garlic in one go. 

Is Raw Garlic Acidic Or Alkaline?

Raw garlic is slightly acidic with a PH of 5.8. However, raw garlic is not recommended for people purely on an alkaline diet due to its acidity. It may also aggravate heartburn, skin rashes, and intestinal inflammation.

If you suffer from acid reflux, you will only worsen your condition by consuming raw garlic.

Is Black Garlic Acidic Or Alkaline?

Black garlic is acidic. It has a more acidic PH compared to fresh raw garlic. Interestingly, this vegetable offers exceptional nutritional value that supersedes the raw garlic it was created from. 

Black garlic is made from whole unpeeled raw garlic. It is then allowed to age for some time, darkening the bulbs and turning the cloves to a dark black color. This type of garlic has a distinctive taste which can be described as a slightly but subtly sweet flavor.

 The fermentation of the raw garlic breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars and the protein into amino acids, increasing the sweetness of black garlic.

This also eliminates the spiciness and pungent flavor in fresh raw garlic.

Antioxidants such as polyphenol; and flavonoids increase during the fermentation process. The antioxidants prevent cell damage which may cause diseases. 

Is Cooked Garlic Acidic Or Alkaline?

Cooked garlic is acidic. Cooking garlic alters its taste and texture but does not alter its acidity. Cooked garlic is softer, milder, and creamer with a more subtle flavor and aroma. A lot of recipes require one to use garlic cooked or its powdered form.

Additionally, garlic contains allicin that is responsible for its unique taste and smell. This is produced when fresh garlic is crushed and chopped. 

However, boiling, pickling, heating significantly reduces the allicin content in garlic. It is highly recommended to use raw garlic to maximize its nutritional value as compared to cooked garlic.

Dr. Sebi On Garlic

‘If you put garlic on a knife and cut someone with the knife, they would never heal. This is because of the allicin which is an oxide of the allicin found in garlic.’

Dr. Sebi

That is an excerpt on Dr. Sebi’s thoughts on consuming garlic. Dr.Sebi believes garlic is poison. He further says that consuming garlic may lead to blood clots in the body. In his explanation, garlic is high in acidity.

Garlic also lowers blood pressure. In some instances, garlic may lower the blood pressure too low, exposing you to various risks.

Garlic is toxic to the brain. It contains a substance known as sulphone hydroxyl ion, which may penetrate the brain barrier.  

The Oxide of Allin: How dangerous?

Allin is the main component of raw garlic. When you crush a clove of garlic, an enzyme called alliinase that converts allin into allicin is released. Allicin is the chemical that gives garlic its color.

 Oxidation of the allicin leads to the creation of free radicals that can be dangerous to the body. Allicin which is an oxidant of allin can lead to serious health issues that include stomach irritation, hemolytic anemia and, to some extent, may destroy the red blood cells.

Allin may cause blistering when it comes into direct contact with the skin. However, during cooking, allicin produces ajoene, diallyl disulfide (DADS), and other components that help prevent blood from clotting.

 Some people may have experienced uncontrolled bleeding after consuming allicin which is a severe health issue that requires immediate medical attention.

 Allicin may also trigger allergic responses and, in some instances, worsen asthmatic symptoms. In some people, this compound may worsen the symptoms of contact dermatitis.

Can Eating Raw Garlic Be Harmful?

Raw garlic can be consumed safely, although it tends to have a stronger and more intense flavor. Raw garlic is often added to dressings and sauce dips, among other dishes.

Allicin is a compound in garlic that is responsible for the strong smell. However, cooking garlic reduces the allicin content significantly. Therefore, that if you want maximum nutritional benefits, you should consume raw garlic.

Is Eating Raw Garlic Every Day Good For You?

It is safe to eat garlic every day as long as you do not develop any allergies after consuming it. However, the downside of consuming garlic daily is the strong pungent smell that may give you garlic breath.

Consuming a lot of garlic at once may give you a burning sensation in your mouth. It may also cause heartburn, gases, and loose motions.

Is It Okay To Consume Garlic Just Before Bed?

Eating two to three cloves of garlic every day before going to bed will improve your sleeping patterns. Garlic is a remedy for insomnia and therefore consuming it before bedtime means you will improve your sleeping habits.

Is Garlic Good For A Pregnant Woman?

Raw Garlic can be harmful to pregnant women. Raw garlic has blood-thinning properties that can lower pregnant women’s blood pressure, exposing them and the baby to various risks. Blood-thinning may also cause more bleeding during cesarean section.

 Garlic has a strong taste and smell, and this can be distasteful for some pregnant women and, in some instances, trigger nausea and vomiting.

On the other hand, garlic may be beneficial to pregnant women suffering from preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is high blood pressure that affects pregnant women, and consuming garlic will lower the blood pressure.

Some pregnant women experience hair loss. Garlic contains allicin that helps prevent hair fall and grow new hair.

Pregnant women are susceptible to infection due to weal immunity. Consuming garlic helps in boosting your immunity during pregnancy. It fights harmful bacteria and prevents them from growing in the body hence strengthening your immunity.

Is Garlic Good For The Heart?

Garlic contains vitamin C and B6 that help regulate blood metabolism and promote a functional nervous system. Garlic helps improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which affect heart health.

 Garlic helps regulate the heart rate. Having an irregular heartbeat may lead to an increase in the risk of a blood clot, stroke and may result in heart failure.

Garlic has an antiarrhythmic effect that helps stabilize irregular heartbeat reducing the risks of developing cardiovascular issues that could be fatal.

Conclusion

Garlic is generally believed to be a safe substance. However, for anyone on a purely alkaline diet, this may not be a good choice of vegetable to include in their diet.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also use this vegetable mildly due to its side effects. Alternatively, you may also enjoy the health benefits of consuming garlic by eating alkaline foods with similar benefits, such as green tea and flax seeds.