A 105-year-old woman reveals the secret to longevity from a common spice.
Easy to find, yet many people "overlook" it.

Longevity is something everyone desires. Everyone wants to live to a hundred, enjoying life with their children and grandchildren. The secret to long life is a topic of great interest. Recently, 105-year-old Helen Tensley, a resident of Clarksville, USA, shared the food she eats every day to maintain her vitality and live such a long life. Surprisingly, the food she chose is something many people "dislike."

Having lived for more than a century with a healthy lifestyle—no smoking, minimal alcohol—Helen Tensley also has a special habit: she eats one clove of garlic every day. While the smell of garlic may put many people off, its health benefits have convinced many, including Helen Tensley, to include it in her daily diet.

Several scientific studies have shown a positive link between eating garlic regularly and human longevity. A 2019 study published in the journal Nutrients analyzed data from over 27,000 participants, showing that people who ate garlic at least once a week had a higher chance of living longer than those who didn't eat garlic.

A 2018 study by Chinese scientists found that eating garlic can help reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Other studies have explored garlic's anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties, helping to protect the body from various dangerous diseases.

How to Eat Garlic for Health Benefits?

• Eat Raw Garlic: This is the best way to absorb allicin, the most valuable compound in garlic. Crush or chop the garlic before eating to activate allicin. It can be eaten directly or mixed with honey or lemon.

• Cooked Garlic: Garlic is used in most dishes, from stir-frying, boiling, roasting, to braising. However, high heat may reduce allicin. To minimize this, add garlic at the end of the cooking process.

• Pickled Garlic: Pickled garlic in vinegar or honey is easy to eat, has a long shelf life, and boosts health.

• Black Garlic: Black garlic is fermented from fresh garlic and contains higher levels of antioxidants, with a sweet, mild taste that's easier to consume than fresh garlic.

• Dosage: Eat about 2-3 cloves of garlic daily, equivalent to 4g of fresh garlic. Avoid consuming too much garlic as it can cause side effects such as indigestion, heartburn, or bad breath.

• Best Time to Eat: It's best to eat garlic in the morning on an empty stomach to enhance allicin absorption. However, those with stomach issues should eat garlic after meals.

• Combine with Other Foods: Combining garlic with honey, lemon, or ginger can enhance its health benefits.

• Proper Preparation: To retain the most allicin, crush or chop garlic and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before eating or cooking.