- 20 g of Raw Garlic (4-5 cloves) mixed with 1 tablespoon of Lemon Juice
- 20 g of Raw Garlic
- 1 Tablespoon of Lemon Juice
- Control Group
29.8 mg/dL LDL
111.4 Fibrinogen (protein that clots blood)
1.6 kg/m2 BMI
Those are substantial changes for a relatively short dietary intervention.
- Systolic blood pressure: 134 → 97 mmHg — a decrease of 37 mmHg
- Diastolic blood pressure: 86 → 62 mmHg — a decrease of 24 mmHg
If That Study Doesn't Convince You...
Check out the 2017 study where researchers gave garlic and lemon extracts to mice with breast cancer.
The combination slowed tumor growth more than either garlic or lemon alone. It also appeared to help destroy cancer cells, limit the blood supply tumors need to grow, and activate parts of the immune system.
Most astounding, 80% of the mice given the garlic-and-lemon combination were reported to have no detectable tumors by the end of the study.
Sure, we're not mice, but garlic and lemons are pretty easy to get our hands on. They're inexpensive, they're at just about every grocery store, and unlike some things studied in labs, they're actually ingredients people enjoy eating.
Garlic contains sulfur-based compounds. Some of these compounds are formed when garlic is crushed or chopped. To allow these compounds to develop, chop or crush the garlic and let it sit for about 10–15 minutes before consuming.
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, including compounds such as eriocitrin and hesperidin. These plant compounds have antioxidant properties and may help protect cells from oxidative stress.
Combining them creates a lovely synergetic effect.
