The weather is getting colder, our layers are getting thicker and there are a lot more germs doing the rounds.
Sadly, cold season is upon us, and many of us will be hoping we avoid feeling ill. But, if you’re struck with a cold, you may want to stock up on a surprising ingredient to aid your health.
Videos have been doing the rounds on TikTok claiming that garlic could actually aid in riding your cold quickly. Especially if you’re brave enough to bite down on a clove of it.
According to @mindbodyspiritsecrets, if you bite into a clove once or twice, and then swallow it, the little piece of garlic can work wonders. This is because it contains a compound called allicin, which has natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
This means garlic will work to “kill off the bad bacteria” to help your body heal at a quicker pace. It may take a few days to feel well again, but at least it can speed things up along the way.
Since the video was shared, it’s been liked over 12,000 times, and people are keen to see if the trick works. It looks as though people are willing to try most things to try and clear a cold.
One person said: “Going to eat garlic from my fridge. Been sick three days.” A second added: “I’ve had mine over a week, and it won’t go away.” A third replied: “Garlic with honey. Tastes good.”
Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “This actually works. I’ve been doing this for years, and it really shortens the length of your cold. You need to chew it a bit before swallowing, as bad as it tastes, but it releases all the juices.”
According to Healthline, garlic is actually jam-packed full of compounds that help the immune system fight off germs. Whole garlic contains a compound called alliin and, when it’s crushed or chewed, this compound turns into allicin.
Allicin comprises of sulfur, which is what gives garlic its distinctive smell and taste. The only snag is, allicin is unstable, so it quickly transforms into other sulfur-containing compounds, which are believed to provide garlic with its medicinal properties.
It’s been proven these compounds work to boost the disease-fighting response of some types of white blood cells in the body when they come into contact with viruses, such as the common cold or flu.
Studies have proven that garlic can reduce the risk of becoming sick, as well as impacting how long a person stays unwell. It can also help to relieve symptoms quicker too.