Garlic compound 'fights food poisoning bacteria'............More effective than antibiotics

                                               The very first time I had to chew garlic just because my mum says its curative importance can not be over emphasised,I almost threw up my intestines,but now its my very best  friend.



New research says  a compound found in garlic could be used in the fight against food poisoning.

US researchers also are of the opinion that a garlic-derived compound called diallyl sulphide is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics at fighting Campylobacter bacteria, the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK.

The bacterium is estimated to cause up to 400,000 cases of food poisoning a year in England and Wales.


Most cases of food poisoning arise from eating raw or undercooked poultry or food that has been cross-contaminated by coming into contact with surfaces or utensils used to prepare poultry which of course is very common in Nigeria.

Campylobacter bacteria live in colonies in a slimy biofilm which can stick to food, utensils and kitchen surfaces. The biofilm also partially protects the bacteria from antibiotics.

The good news is that researchers from Washington State University found that the garlic compound easily penetrates protective biofilm and  also effective in killing bacteria.

In laboratory tests, diallyl sulphide was 100 times more effective than the antibiotics erythromycin and ciprofloxacin, and often worked in "a fraction of the time."


Garlic supplements have been shown to lower cholesterol level and lessen hypertension in those with untreated high blood pressure.

While eating garlic is generally regarded as a healthy thing to do, the researchers said it "is unlikely to prevent Campylobacter-related food poisoning."

Also, the discovery may lead to new treatments for raw and processed meats and food preparation surfaces.

In the future, "diallyl sulphide may be useful in reducing the levels of the Campylobacter in the environment and to clean industrial food processing equipment, as the bacterium is found in a biofilm in both settings," they said.

So,it isnt so bad to try to introduce garlic into your meals,you can start with seasoning your meat and chicken,chopping this wonderful root plant into your rice meals amongst other food will put you on the track of living a bacteria free life.........




.

All pictures courtesy google image


The study is published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy