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'Garlic is good for heart, stomach'

ISLAMABAD: Eating few cloves of garlic is good for health, the researchers have found.

Garlic has been known to man for centuries. Egyptian sages, as far back as 1500 BC, had recorded its 22 medicinal properties. It is also found to be antiseptic, reduces chances of cancer and heart attack. Garlic prevents cancer of the stomach.

Researchers say it is potent organosulphur compounds in garlic which inhibit bacterial growth in the stomach.

This lowers the risk of cancer since some bacteria convert food to nitrosamines which are carcinogenic.

Garlic is also said to reduce risk of cancer of the colon, rectum, esophagus, skin and prostrate.

Ingredients in garlic reduce 'stickiness' of platelets, which by formation of clots, causes heart disease.

Garlic reduces the thickening and hardening of arteries (artesclerosis). Even one clove daily is said to lower cholesterol level.

According to some researchers, garlic has antiseptic properties. Soldiers in both the world wars carried garlic in their kits to rub on their wounds in the battlefield.

In test tubes, garlic has been found to wipe out many strains of fungus. APP