Losing weight isn't very easy, but even small healthy habits can go a long way in making your weight loss journey a little bit quick and easy. There are some dietary practices that can help you get results faster like drinking warm water in the morning as well as before meals, or snacking healthy, etc. If you're someone who wants to lose weight, then you would probably be familiar with these little tricks and home remedies for weight loss. However, there's another lesser known home remedy for weight loss, which not many weight watchers are aware of - eating garlic seeped in honey on an empty stomach. A combination of honey and garlic might not seem very appetising, but it is very beneficial, when it comes to weight loss and improving your overall well-being. Consumption of raw garlic first thing in the morning is often recommended for improving digestion and detoxifying the body.
In fact, raw garlic with water is a common home remedy for a number of health problems like hypertension, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. This is because of the many beneficial minerals and bioactive compounds present in this pale and pungent flavour enhancing vegetable.
Consuming garlic with honey also comes with its own set of health benefits, besides weight loss:
- Boosts immunity
- Fights cold and flu
- Gives a boost to the digestive system
- Detoxifies the body
(Also Read: 7 Surprising Health Benefits Of Garlic)
Honey And Garlic For Weight Loss
If you are someone who is in 'detox mode,' then garlic and honey is going to be a godsend for you. This is because this unusual tonic can help detoxify your body completely. But, perhaps its biggest health benefit is in aiding weight loss by stimulating appetite and boosting digestion. As health experts often say, a good digestive system is key to a quicker weight loss, honey and garlic are the ideal companions for your weight loss journey.
Raw garlic has a better nutritive profile than cooked garlic, making the former a better weight loss agent. Similarly, consuming raw honey early in the morning may help metabolise fat better. Honey is fat-free and cholesterol-free and also helps in curbing hunger pangs. It is also a source of energy, helping you sail through all your morning tasks with ease.
How To Consume Raw Garlic And Honey For Weight Loss
You can prepare the combination of honey and raw garlic and store it in a jar for daily consumption. All you need is some clean and fresh garlic cloves that are peeled, some raw or organic honey and a glass jar. Toss the peeled garlic cloves in the jar and pour the honey over them, till they're fully covered in it. Shut the lid of the jar tightly and shake it to let the honey coat the garlic completely. Let the concoction sit for some time to allow the garlic nutrients seep out into the honey and vice versa. You can pick out one garlic clove daily, crush it with a spoon or a knife and eat it on an empty stomach to achieve quicker weight loss.
Raw honey is the most original sweet liquid you will find. It is collected fresh after being produced by honeybees with the nectar they sip from flower blossoms. It is unheated, unpasteurised and unprocessed. This is not too difficult to understand as the word ‘raw' clearly indicates being ‘uncooked'. This home remedy is good for your skin as well. This is because garlic is a natural blood purifier, which also has anti-bacterial properties.
(Also Read: Honey And Weight Loss: How Are The Two Connected?)
Health Benefits Of Honey
Honey is one of the most wonderful naturally occuring substances known to mankind. Honey is a healthy sweet liquid produced by bees, and consumed with garlic it has a significant impact on helping weight loss. But even if it is consumed by itself, it has a number of health benefits. These range from being rich in antioxidants to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Here are some of the health benefits of having honey:
- Improves cholesterol
- Lowers blood pressure
- Preventing acid reflux
- Acts as a cold suppressant
- Improved sleep
- Soothes the effects of diarrhea
- Protects against brain damage
- Promotes burn and wound healing
Disadvantages Of Consuming Honey
Too much of anything consumed can be harmful for health, and the same is said about honey. Even though this miraculous substance is great for maintaining overall health, there are few things to keep in mind when having honey. The following are the side effects of consuming honey, if had in excess:
- Not so nutritionally rich in itself
- Its high in sugar and calories
- May lead to weight gain
- Could increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes & heart disease
- If given to infants, it could result in constipation & weakness
(Also Read: Garlic For Weight Loss: 5 Ways How Garlic (Lehsun) Can Help You Lose Weight)
Health Benefits Of Garlic
Garlic is the most underrated food item in the kitchen. This humble item has a range of benefits for skin, hair and overall health. Garlic is not just flavourful for cooking, but also has been traditionally used as a medicine for ages. Apart from its known benefits in aiding weight loss, this relative of onion has some surprising benefits for health also. Here are a few of the health benefits of garlic:
- It's a powerful antibiotic & blood purifier
- It protects the heart
- Reduces high cholesterol levels
- Reduces blood pressure
- Low in calories
- Combats illnesses such as cold and cough
- Helps prevent alzheimer's disease and dementia
Disadvantages of Having Garlic
Too much of garlic consumed may lead to ill effects. In spite of its wonderful effects on health, it is not advisable to eat garlic in each and every situation. There are a few cautions and things to keep in mind before eating excess of this superfood, including those mentioned below:
- Asthma patients should consume garlic with caution.
- Garlic should be avoided before surgeries or medical procedures
- Not more than 2-3 cloves should be had in a day
Advantages Of Having Honey Raw
Raw honey is sometimes said to be more beneficial than processed or pasteurized honey which is sold in supermarkets. It is known that regular honey may not have some of the health benefits of its unprocessed counterpart. Here are a few advantages of eating honey raw:
- More nutritious
- Phytonutrient powerhouse
- Antibacterial properties
- Heals wounds and fights infections
- Antifungal properties
- Contains more antioxidants and amino acids
Advantages Of Having Garlic Raw
Although its cooked counterpart is much easier to incorporate into the diet, garlic had raw also offers some good health benefits. Garlic, when had raw, increases the health factor in the body manifold with some amazing advantages that cooked garlic would not be able to offer. Here are a few advantages of having garlic raw:
- Regulates blood sugar
- Eliminates bad bacteria
- Enhances fat burning
- Reduces the sensation of hunger
- Lowers cholesterol
- Relives arthritic pain
- Reduces bowel gas
Side Effects Of Eating Raw Honey & Garlic
Though garlic and honey is a great combination for weight loss, it may lead to certain side effects in some people. This could be because of allergies to honey or garlic. These compounds present in honey and garlic may cause severe effects if consumed, so it's always better to consult your doctor before trying this remedy for weight loss. These are some side effects of this concoction which may occur in case of an allergy:
- Blood thinning
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Weakness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Skin eruptions
So, stop worrying about your weight and start losing it with this amazing healing combination. But don't forget to consult your doctor before trying it out!