Garlic has been used for centuries in a number of medicinal applications, including as an antiseptic and a treatment for the common cold. According to University of Maryland Medical Center, one of garlic’s most promising roles is its use in the prevention of heart disease and atherosclerosis — hardening of the arteries through plaque buildup. Garlic may be able to not only slow the progression of atherosclerosis, but it may also have favorable effects on blood pressure. Garlic’s ability to act as a blood thinner is partially responsible for these heart-healthy effects.
