Black garlic? Yes, you heard that right! We all now the benefits of garlic but did you know that black garlic even healthier? Black garlic is nothing but raw garlic that is fermented. Any fermented food you eat does good for the body and garlic already is healthy in its raw form; fermentation makes it the healthiest!
Why is black garlic black in colour? Melanoidin is a substance that is responsive for the black colour of black garlic. Raw garlic contains sugars and amino acids that undergo fermentation to produce melanoidin.
HOW TO MAKE BLACK GARLIC:
To make black garlic, you need 1 rice cooker and garlic. That is it! Do not open the garlic cloves or do anything to it, just toss it in the cooker. Do not add water or anything in it. once you have kept all the garlic inside the rice cooker, put the lid and switch on the ‘warm’ button on rice cooker. You do not have to cook it; just keep it warm for the fermentation to take place. That is it; you need not do anything else. Keep it in a corner of your house and do not look at it for 3 weeks. After their incubation period, take out the garlic and remove all the black cloves form it. Dry it in the sun and store in an air tight container or use it directly in your recipes.
REASONS YOU NEED TO EAT THIS:
CHOLESTEROL
While “good” cholesterol, or HDL, is essential for our healthy body, keeping LDL, or “bad” cholesterol in check is important for reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death. Black garlic helps to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels by preventing the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries. A reduction in cholesterol build-up can then, in turn, reduce one’s risk of a heart attack or stroke.
COLD PREVENTION
Allicin is a powerful antifungal and antibiotic compound found in garlic. It is also present in raw garlic but the amount of this compound almost doubles in black garlic and the effects are even better. It is effective against cold and flu. Try including black garlic in your salads, curries, etc.
BETTER DIGESTION
We all know how beneficial fermented foods are for our tummy. Black garlic is rich in enzymes and probiotic organisms that keep our intestines healthy and metabolism in top condition. Black garlic stimulates the mucous membranes of the stomach to produce gastric juices that aid digestion.
RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS
Black garlic is rich in anti-oxidants that kills free radicals in the body. It also helps eliminate heavy metals from the body and detox the liver. Also, the antioxidant properties strengthen the body’s defence mechanism and fight infections.
IMMUNITY BOOSTER
Black garlic is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B 6 and manganese; this helps in boosting the immune system. Apart from boosting the immune system, it also helps with mineral absorption.