Healthiest Way to Consume Garlic

Now that we’ve discussed the tremendous health benefits of including Garlic in our daily meal plans, what’s the healthiest way to use or cook garlic?

For maximum benefits, I recommend chopping raw garlic into small pieces and sprinkling it on food. I however know garlic has a strong scent and taste and may not be very palatable to most of us in its raw form.

Just like dhania, if you must cook garlic, it’s best to add it towards the end of the cooking process so as to maintain maximum nutrition and flavor. Cooking garlic on high heat reduces the health benefits of the sulfur compounds like allyl and diallyl sulfides that form by allowing garlic to sit for 5-10 minutes. High heat also makes garlic taste bitter. I would therefore recommend cooking garlic under low heat for as little time as possible (5-15 minutes).  

The temperature principle also applies when Microwaving, baking, roasting or heating food with garlic. Keep the heat at 250F/121C or lower. Also remember that exposing cooking oil to very high temperatures also destroys or lessens the nutrient levels. Most baking recipes recommend use of higher temperatures than those recommended to preserve garlic’s nutrients. Again, I would recommend adding crushes or chopped garlic towards the very end of the baking process, and the oven temperature needs to be reduced.