Boosting life expectancy is possible by making a few changes in the regular diet. Regularly eating a healthy diet can help defend against the development of some of the deadliest health conditions. It helps in preventing various cardiovascular-related diseases and improves longevity.

Keeping your gut healthy can also help a lot in warding off various types of health threats and also improves life expectancy. Studies have shown that there is one particular herb that can help improve gut health and enhance longevity.

A Pungent Herb

The body’s microorganisms, such as bacteria, have a hundred more DNA and ten times more cells than its host body. This is why it is very important to ensure that the good bacteria outnumber the bad.

garlic is good for the heart and can increase life expectancy
garlic is good for the heart and can increase life expectancy congerdesign - Pixabay

The harmful bacteria in the gut, which have been known to play pivotal roles in various ailments like cancer, dementia, and obesity, can be overwhelmed by garlic’s good bacteria. This strengthens the conclusion of past studies about the many health benefits of garlic consumption.

Good for the Heart

Previous research on the herb showed it could also decrease blood pressure readings. Having high blood pressure poses a threat to your life expectancy because steady high reading can cause the development of fatal complications like heart disease. Studies conclude that garlic supplements can reduce blood pressure readings in people suffering from high blood pressure.

In one such study, approximately 600 to 1,500 mg of garlic extract proved to have the same efficacy as a blood pressure-lowering medicine like Atenolol. It can also work wonders on your cholesterol level by lowering the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood. This waxy substance is responsible for the arterial blockage, which leads to heart attacks.

Garlic supplements, in a meta-analysis, were also found to reduce total and LDL cholesterol by around 10% to 15% in people suffering from high cholesterol levels. Medical experts and dieticians are one in saying that garlic should be part of a regular plant-based diet. This is to help keep at bay the threat of deadly ailments and at the same time, improve life expectancy.

The findings on the health benefits of garlic are among those published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

RELATED STORIES