Garlic and lemon are an amazing, savory combination. You’re probably familiar with this pairing on chicken or fish, in pasta, or as a succulent butter infusion. But these two flavors have benefits you may not be familiar with—they’re packed with benefits for your heart. Read on to learn why garlic and lemon boost cardiovascular health and to get a recipe for a heart-healthy elixir.
Garlic Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is linked to serious health conditions, such as heart attack and stroke. Garlic has been tested as effective in reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension. Scientists found that very high doses (600-1,500 mg) of aged garlic supplements performed equally as well as Altenolol.
Lemon Does, Too.
The potassium in lemon juice makes drinking water with lemon juice an easy way to bring blood pressure down. The reason potassium has this beneficial effect is that it helps work against the effects of salt on your body. The Blood Pressure Association recommends getting potassium from fruit and vegetables—not supplements—to make sure you don’t get too much.
Garlic Cuts Cholesterol Counts
For both total cholesterol and LDL (the “bad” cholesterol), taking garlic supplements can bring these numbers down by 10 to 15%. No discernible effect was noted on HDL (“good” cholesterol). Triglycerides, or fat stored in the blood, don’t seem to be affected by garlic consumption.
Vitamins in Lemon Reduce Heart Disease Risk
Lemons are chock-full of vitamin C, and that’s a very good thing for your heart. Just one lemon provides a little over half of your daily allotment. Researchers have proven that getting plenty of vitamin C from fruit and vegetables makes you less likely to develop heart disease.
Garlic Thins the Blood
Blood thinners are a common way for doctors to treat heart disease. Thinning the blood can also prevent or help treat diabetes, stroke, or blood clots.
Fiber and Plant Compounds in Lemon Benefit Your Heart
Vitamin C isn’t the only thing in lemon that’s good for your cardiovascular health. These fruits are also full of fiber and plant compounds that tackle high cholesterol. Some studies didn’t just focus on lemons—they saw these effects from all citrus fruit.
Garlic Stops Plaque Accumulation in the Arteries
A study from Harbor-UCLA Medical Center showed that garlic had some surprising effects on the buildup in plaque in the arteries. Not only did participants who took two aged garlic supplements per day stop accumulating arterial plaque, their symptoms actually began to reverse and improve. Researcher Dr. Matthew Budoff told Newsmax, “We have completed four randomized studies to date, and all have led us to concur that aged garlic extract is both beneficial for slowing atherosclerosis and reversing the early stages of heart disease.”
Mix Up a Heart Health Elixir
Mix equal parts lemon juice, garlic juice, ginger juice, and apple cider vinegar. Boil on medium heat for 30 minutes, then allow to cool until lukewarm. Gradually stir in 3 parts of honey. Store this potion in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Take a tablespoon each day before your first meal.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
