The residents of the first county regularly eat 20 grams of garlic daily, while the residents of the second county don't eat much garlic at all. Garlic lowers concentrations of nitrates, precursors of the carcinogen nitrosamine, in the stomach's gastric juice and protects against the development of stomach cancer. Last year the American Journal of Epidemiology published results of the Iowa Woman's Study involving 41,837 women, which concluded that garlic lowers the risk of colon cancer. If you already enjoy eating garlic as part of your diet, you will be pleased to know that there is actually scientific basis for doing so. One clove a day is about right.
Cooked garlic is easier on the digestive system.
Some people may have difficulty with eating raw garlic as it can be irritating to the intestinal linings. For those who would prefer garlic without its pungent odor, garlic products and supplements are available at your supermarket or health food store. Benjamin Lau, M.D., Ph. Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be redistributed or reproduced.