Did you know that this fragrant and potent root may have a range of health benefits, both raw and cooked? Think of garlic as a nutrient powerhouse that does more than just make your food taste delicious. Pay homage to those pungent cloves with these 4 fast facts.

Garlic is highly nutritious

One raw clove of this tasty and fragrant veggie contains vitamins and minerals like manganese, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and fiber. It also contains a good amount of calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin B1.

It can combat the common cold

Some studies have shown that taking garlic supplement reduce the number of colds and the length of symptoms. If you feel a cold coming on, adding a little more garlic to your meals might ease your symptoms. As some might say, there's no such thing as too much garlic.

Garlic can reduce high blood pressure

Taking a daily garlic supplement (or eating roughly four cloves a day) helps blood flow more easily through the body and lower high blood pressure

It works as an anti-inflammatory

As if wasn't already super nutritious and low in calories, garlic also offers anti-inflammatory benefits. Garlic contains diallyl disulfide an anti-inflammatory compound that limits the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines. If you have sore and inflamed joints or muscles, you can rub them with garlic oil.