1. Let It Sit After Chopping: One common mistake is using garlic immediately after chopping or crushing it. Garlic contains allicin, its primary active component, which forms when the garlic is chopped and exposed to air. For maximum health benefits, let chopped garlic sit for about 10-15 minutes before cooking. This waiting period helps increase the allicin content that can be absorbed by the body.
2. Avoid Overcooking: Cooking garlic is another area where it’s easy to go wrong. Overcooking garlic can destroy the allicin and other nutrients. To preserve its health benefits, add garlic toward the end of the cooking process. Just a few minutes of cooking is enough to blend its flavor into your dish without compromising its health properties.
3. Opt for Fresh Over Pre-Made: While pre-chopped garlic or garlic powder is convenient, fresh garlic is superior in terms of health benefits. Pre-prepared garlic often loses some of the essential oils and compounds that contribute to its health properties. By choosing fresh bulbs and preparing them yourself, you ensure that you get more of the goodness garlic has to offer.
