I’m counting down to the Great Gilroy Garlic Cookoff on July 27!  I’ll be tweeting live from the Cookoff Stage at the 35th Gilroy Garlic Festival with all the action!  You won’t want to miss it.  It’s one of the greatest cookoffs, and the festival is so much fun.  You can watch the live Twitter feed right here on my blog (right there on the right!) Or you can follow me on Twitter (@LaureenCooks). #GarlicCookoff

In the meanwhile, I’ll count down my Top Five Things to Love About Garlic!

Number 5: Health Benefits

Garlic is chock full o’ health and nutritional benefits.  Traditional Chinese medicine relies heavily on garlic for its healing and curative properties.  In the mid-19th century, French scientist Louis Pasteur studied the antibacterial properties of garlic.  Today, garlic supplements are used to treat and prevent conditions related to the heart and blood system, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, heart attack, and “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis).  It is also used for strengthening the immune system and preventing and treating bacterial and fungal infections. Other uses include treatment of fever, coughs, headache, stomach ache, sinus congestion, gout, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, low blood sugar, It is also used for fighting stress and fatigue, and maintaining healthy liver function.  Even Dr. Oz agrees that fresh garlic has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Studies have found that people who eat garlic regularly reduced their sick days significantly (Sharecare). Turns out the odiferous little nugget is quite the powerhouse!

I’ll be counting down the top 5 things to love about Garlic all week!  Stay tuned for more!  Hint: It’s all about cooking and eating!