Whether you're munching on garlic bread or indulging in some spicy curry, garlic never fails to add a burst of flavour to any type of cuisine
With a delicious aroma and rich flavour, garlic is not only tasty but has several health benefits to offer.
Garlic contains a substance called allicin, which not only gives it a distinct aroma but is also what adds to its health benefits.
However, certain methods or preparation help preserve the benefits of garlic more than others. If you're cooking with garlic, there are some rules you need to follow to maintain the flavour and benefits.
Here's the 10-minute cooking rule for garlic that you need to know.
What is the 10-minute garlic rule?
Nutritionist Moomal Asif shared the 10-minute rule that you need to follow while cooking with garlic in an Instagram post.
The post's caption read: "Did you know that TWO MINUTES in the pan destroys all the health benefits of garlic?"
The nutritionist went on to explain that when heat is applied to garlic, allicin, which is the most active ingredient in it, is almost completely deactivated, thus reducing garlic's health benefits.
However, one simple change to your cooking technique can help preserve the health benefits of garlic.
Ms Asif shared the best way to cook garlic.
"Crush, mince or mince the garlic and keep it away from heat for 10 minutes. During this time maximum allicin is created and remains intact during cooking."
She added: "Then you can fry, sauté, bake to your heart’s content and still get all your medicine."
Is garlic healthy?
Garlic has been used in cooking various types of cuisines for many centuries. Garlic is healthy because its anti-oxidant content is high.
It also has powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
What makes garlic so healthy is how many minerals and vitamins it contains. Besides a high content of allicin, garlic also contains minerals like zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium as well as vitamins C, niacin, K, Folate and thiamine.
What are health benefits of garlic?
Garlic has a reputation for being good for us. Here are some of the health benefits of eating garlic:
- Prevents cold and flu
- Improves cardiac health
- Enhances brain function
- Helps with digestion
- Balances blood sugar levels
- Boosts immunity
- Makes skin healthy
- Encourages weight loss
- May enhance athletic performance.
