5 Health Benefits Of Garlic For Babies

“A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat.” – Unknown.

Garlic is a pungent-tasting kitchen ingredient that adds flavor and aroma to food. While it is considered safe for adults, some parents wonder if garlic for babies is a safe choice. Knowing this will help you introduce it to your baby’s diet at the right age and in age-appropriate ways.

It is interesting to know that the flavor of garlic seems to appeal to babies before they start consuming solids. Research shows that babies nurse better when their moms have consumed garlic(1). Further, garlic possesses several medicinal properties that can benefit their health.

Read on to learn when babies can consume garlic, its nutrition content, possible health benefits, and some tasty garlic recipes you can make for your baby.

When Can Babies Have Garlic?

You can begin giving garlic to babies from six to eight months of age as part of their weaning diet. However, some babies might find it difficult to digest or could develop an allergy. Also, the garlic should be fresh and given in limited quantities.

The reaction to garlic can manifest in the form of cramps, swelling, vomiting or diarrhea. Visit a pediatrician if you observe any of these symptoms. Seek medical advice right away if your baby has breathing trouble or severe reactions.

Jennifer Sayegh Wilcox, a registered dietitian from Columbia, Maryland, says, “For some babies, garlic can upset digestive health because it is an oligosaccharide, a type of carbohydrate that some adults and babies cannot break down. If your baby is intolerant to garlic, they may experience gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, irritability, and fussiness. Therefore, for babies with colic, garlic should be avoided because it can worsen the condition.”

Nutritional Value Of Garlic

Garlic is a good source of vitamin B6, manganese, selenium, potassium, and iron. It is also known to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-protozoal effectsⁱXEffects caused by protozoans, which are single-celled organisms like parasites., which could help protect the baby from infections (2).

Nutrient	Unit	Value per 100 g
Energy	kcal	149/td>
Protein	g	6.36
Carbohydrate, by difference	g	33.1
Fiber, total dietary	g	2.1
Calcium, Ca	mg	181
Iron, Fe	mg	1.7
Sodium, Na	mg	17
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	mg	31.2
Vitamin A, IU	IU	31.2
Cholesterol	mg	0

Source: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169230/nutrients

Health Benefits Of Garlic For Babies

Here are some ways garlic could be beneficial to your baby.

1. Reduces the severity of cough, cold, and flu

The antibacterial and antiviral properties of garlic may protect your baby from the common cold. Anecdotal evidence suggests that garlic soup could reduce the severity of colds. It is because the volatile oils in garlic help open the respiratory passages and relieve the condition. Garlic is also used as a tonic for general weakness and cough in traditional Indian medicine (3).

Clinical studies suggest that incorporating aged garlic extract into the diet may boost immune cell function, which may help reduce the severity of colds and flu and its associated symptoms, such as cough and a runny or stuffy nose (4). However, garlic’s safety and efficacy in treating and/or managing colds and coughs in babies is not well-researched. Hence, garlic’s use for any medicinal purpose should only be done under strict medical guidance.

2. Antimicrobial properties regulate infections

Phytochemicals present in garlic could be effective in killing bacteria in the colon and small intestine. However, garlic is harmless on the probiotic microbesⁱXHealthy microorganisms that offer health benefits when consumed residing in the baby’s digestive system.

The antimicrobial properties also help heal wounds quickly. You may mix the fresh juice of garlic cloves in fruit or vegetable juice and feed the concoction to your baby (5).

3. Boosts metabolism

Garlic is also believed to possess metabolism-boosting properties. However, no scientific evidence confirms garlic’s metabolism effects in babies. Nevertheless, parents can include a small amount of garlic in a baby’s diet. While its impact on the baby’s metabolism might not be as noticeable as in adults, the nutrients and phytochemicals in garlic could contribute to their overall health. Hence, you can add a small amount of garlic to the baby’s food once they consume various solids.

4. Kills harmful intestinal worms in babies

When intestinal worms such as tapewormsⁱXFlat, segmented worms that live and feed in human intestines. enter the baby’s body in the form of eggs, they settle in the intestines and feed on the nutrients, eventually leading to infections and ailments. Garlic can act as an effective anthelmintic drugⁱXA drug used to expel parasitic worms or other internal parasites from the body. to kill the intestinal worms (6).

5. Anti-inflammatory effect supports immune system

Garlic stimulates cell types such as macrophagesⁱXLarge, specialized cells that provide immunity, tissue development, and repair of damaged tissues., lymphocytesⁱXA type of white blood cells that fight against foreign viruses by providing immunity to the body., natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cellsⁱXSpecial cells found in the tissues to provide immunity to the body., and eosinophilsⁱXSpecialized white blood cells to reduce infection and enhance the immune system., thus building your baby’s immune system. Also, it regulates cytokine secretion, which could help in the treatment or prevention of obesity, metabolic syndrome, as the baby grows. It is also rich in antioxidants that act as a protective agent against gastric pathologies (7).

When we say garlic is good for your baby, we mean a limited quantity of it. Give him the right amount to enjoy the benefits of this food.

How Much Garlic Is Safe For Babies?

Initially, serve one garlic clove a day. Treat garlic as a new solid food and follow a 3-5 day wait rule to rule out any baby allergies. If they do not show any allergic reactions, you may gradually increase the quantity but remember a baby cannot eat garlic like an adult does.

How To Select, Store And Use Garlic?

Use fresh garlic rather than the paste or powder. Select the one that is juicy and white. Peel off the skin, mince or crush and add it to the diet. Chopping or crushing helps secrete OSCs.

Keep crushed garlic aside for 10 minutes before cooking. This would allow OSCs to develop completely.

Serve garlic soup to your little one, by adding a pinch of sugar to camouflage the strong flavor. Store garlic in a warm, dry place.

Don’t give a whole clove to your little one as it is hard to chew and may pose a choking hazard. Instead, add it to the various recipes that you make for them by finely slicing or crushing it.

Garlic Recipes For Babies

Here are some simple recipes containing garlic:

1. Chicken-garlic soup

Preparation time: 40 minutes

You will need:

• 50 gm boneless chicken

• 1/2 tsp ginger (grated)

• 3-4 garlic (chopped)

• 5 cups water

• 1 small onion (finely chopped)

• Pepper

• Salt

How to:

1. Transfer all the ingredients to a pressure cooker and cook on slight flame for 10 minutes and low flame for 15 minutes.

2. Strain the broth after cooling it down and serve warm.

2. Tomato rasam (Indian recipe)

Preparation time: 40 minutes

You will need:

• 3 tomatoes

• 2 garlic cloves (chopped)

• 2-3 black peppercorns

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds

• salt for taste

• 1/2 tsp oil

How to:

1. Heat oil, add cumin seeds, garlic, and peppercorns. Sauté.

2. Add water and tomatoes. Boil for 10 minutes. Remove off the flame and let it cool.

3. Mash well. To remove the tomato skin, strain the mixture.

5. Add the sautéd mixture.
6. Feed it as soup or serve with mashed rice.

3. Garlic bread (10 months)

Preparation time: 15 minutes

You will need:

• 1 garlic clove

• 1 ciabatta (Italian white bread)

• 50g softened butter

• 1tsp fresh parsley (chopped)

How to:

1. Add butter, parsley, and crushed garlic clove in a bowl and mix well.

2. Spread the mix as a thin layer on both sides of the bread.

3. Bake the bread in a preheat oven at 200 degrees C/Gas mark 6 for five to 10 minutes.

4. Bake both sides until brown.