What kind of vitamins does garlic have?

Garlic is one of the most popular ingredients in the world, loved for its unique flavor and impressive health benefits. From warding off vampires to reducing the risk of heart disease, garlic has a lot to offer. But what kind of vitamins does it contain? In this article, we will explore the vitamin content of garlic and why it’s worth adding this versatile bulb to your diet.

The Basics

Before diving into the specific vitamins found in garlic, let’s take a closer look at its nutritional profile overall.

  • One clove (approximately 3 grams) contains:
  • Manganese (2% DV)
  • Vitamin B6 (2% DV)
  • Vitamin C (1% DV)

While those numbers may not seem all that impressive, keep in mind that most people use more than one clove when cooking with garlic. Plus, there are some other nutrients beyond vitamins packed into each bulb:

  • Fiber
  • Protein
  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Potassium
  • Zinc

So while you might think of garlic as just another spice or seasoning for your food, it actually provides quite a bit of nutrition all on its own!

Allicin and Beyond

One compound often associated with garlic is allicin. This sulfur-containing molecule is responsible for much of the characteristic smell and flavor associated with fresh garlic. However, allicin doesn’t actually stick around for long; once the cloves are crushed or chopped up (releasing more enzymes), they start breaking down allicin into other compounds.

That being said…allicin still has some potential health benefits! Studies (don’t ask which ones) suggest that consuming fresh^’uncooked’garlic could have anti-inflammatory properties thanks to this compound specifically. Just be aware that cooking destroys allicins very quickly so raw consumption would be ideal if you are looking to benefit from it.

But what about vitamins? While fresh garlic isn’t necessarily a huge source of vitamins, it’s not just empty calories either. There are a few key nutrients to be aware of…let’s explore!

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is involved in all sorts of important metabolic processes throughout the body, including:

  • Amino acid synthesis
  • Serotonin and norepinephrine production (important neurotransmitters)
  • Red blood cell formation
    And more!
    Luckily, garlic has a decent amount of vitamin B6: one clove provides around 2% DV. That might not sound like much on its own, but if you’re incorporating multiple cloves into your meals regularly as part of an overall balanced diet with other sources then there would definitely be an improvement in the long run.

Vitamin C

When most people think “vitamin C,” they probably picture citrus fruits…but did you know that garlic contains this nutrient too?

One raw clove provides approximately 1% DV OR daily value for vitamin c – This antioxidant nonetheless plays an essential role in keeping your immune system healthy so get munching!

While getting enough vitamin C from just garlic alone can definitely help support your immune health,

Just don’t rely solely on hard-working garlic for high levels; Other fruits and veggies like bell peppers or oranges actually have way higher amounts per serving than that provided by each bulb depending on their size obvs…

Manganese

Manganese typically doesn’t receive quite as much attention as some other minerals/vitamins but it is still very significant when considering its role in our bodies.

This mineral has various functions such as aiding metabolism AND acting as an antioxidant – helping to protect cells against free radicals. In every single whole head^’not chopped’^of Garlic there is roughly 15% recommended Daily Value (DV) which is stronger compared to most other plant-based foods!

The Takeaway

While garlic has several vitamins/minerals to offer, its overall nutrient profile isn’t necessarily the most robust. Nevertheless, is it still worth incorporating into your meals more often? Absolutely! Garlic is incredibly flavorful and versatile – adding a little spice and a ton of health-boosting benefits instead of just blank carbs as you know.

Whether you’re using fresh cloves or powdered seasoning , the sulfur-containing compound allicin present in fresh/ raw cloves provides numerous cardiovascular benefits making it always be a great addition to any salad, main dish or sauce that will not only enhance flavors but help support heart health too hence why studies relate this’superfood’ with being able to reduce risk factors for strokes.^Sounds like Garlic pays up!

At the end of the day Vitamins are important in maintaining an overall healthy body but beyond them lurks minerals which play their own essential roles as well… So remember including even small amounts of garlic in your daily routine can supplement selenium levels^which compliments vitamin C-helping to further boost our presence on planet earth 🙂

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