This Is What Happens When You Eat Garlic Every Day

If you're in love with eating garlic, you're not alone. According to Penn State University, garlic consumption quadrupled between 1980 and 2015. In fact, this bulb is so beloved, there is now an annual National Garlic Day in the U.S., to celebrate and root for this popular root with origins that date back 7,000 years (via National Day Calendar).

But its satisfying, pungent flavor is not its only asset. Eating garlic also provides a host of potential health benefits. Throughout its long history, garlic has been used for its medicinal properties, according to the experts at Healthline. For one, many studies suggest that eating garlic can improve your immunity. This is due to garlic's antioxidant properties, which are released through sulfur compounds when raw garlic is chopped or crushed. Research suggests that garlic may also support heart health, as well as help to stabilize blood sugar levels. Studies of animals have also shown that garlic may contain properties that support brain health. So, eating garlic every day could potentially help improve memory. Eating garlic may also support bone health and it is also a nutritious, low-calorie way to get various vitamins and minerals.

As far as how much garlic you should eat, Healthline reports that, while there is no official medical recommendation as of yet, that the science suggests that eating one to two cloves of garlic every day could provide health benefits.

While garlic is going to be safe to eat for most people, medical experts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) point out that there are some risks and potential side effects to take into consideration. If you're a fan of raw garlic, some side effects you may encounter include malodorous breath and body odor, heartburn or an upset stomach. It's also possible to be allergic to garlic. The most common symptoms you will encounter if you are allergic to garlic are asthma and contact dermatitis, according to NY Allergy & Sinus Centers.

As far as ingesting garlic supplements, NIH experts state that these could prompt internal bleeding. So if you are on a blood thinner or have an upcoming surgery, you should discuss with your doctor about whether or not you can safely continue taking garlic supplements. They also warn that garlic supplements could interfere with the efficacy of certain drugs, and if you are consuming garlic supplements along with certain dietary herbs or other supplements, this combination may cause a negative interaction.

The current research suggests that it is safe and likely beneficial to your health to eat a modest amount of garlic every day. But everyone's body chemistry is different, and so if you love garlic, but garlic doesn't love you, talk to a health specialist about whether or not it is safe for you to eat garlic or if they can suggest an alternative.