Welcome to this guide on what neutralizes garlic in the stomach.
Garlic is a common seasoning used in a variety of sweet and sour dishes.
Its distinct taste adds wonderful flavor to many recipes. Thus making it a major ingredient for many while preparing their meals.
Although garlic has its benefits, some people would rather avoid it because of its adverse effects on them.
Whether you’re a garlic lover who has eaten too much garlic or you have garlic sensitivity and mistakenly consumed it, this article has the information you need to neutralize garlic in your stomach.
Read further to see the answers.
What is garlic?
Garlic is a hardy perennial plant. And it belongs to the lily or allium family.
It is a bulbous flowering plant alongside onions, shallots, and leeks.
The bulbs of the garlic plant are composed of numerous cloves covered by a thin, papery skin. And they come in different grades according to the USDA.
Garlic is also one of the oldest cultivated plants. And it is a common seasoning choice worldwide.
It is famous for its strong smell and pungent taste that gives it a distinctive flavor in food.
However, this attribute can cause lots of discomfort. And it’s probably why you want to know how to neutralize garlic in your stomach.
We’ll discuss more on this later.
How does garlic affect your stomach?
The effect of garlic on the stomach varies from person to person.
Garlic has been used to aid digestion and reduce stomach problems like diarrhea.
It contains fructans that act as prebiotics and promote the production of good bacteria in your gut.
Because of its antimicrobial properties, it also helps ward off harmful gut bacteria.
Although, garlic has its health benefits, for some people garlic could have an adverse effect on their stomachs.
It could cause them a stomach upset or other digestive problems.
To identify how garlic affects your stomach, you should pay careful attention to your body and how it reacts to different foods.
What neutralizes garlic in the stomach?
To neutralize garlic in the stomach you can start by drinking a lot of fluid, preferably water.
This would help to dilute the garlic in your system.
Also, bland foods can work well in neutralizing garlic in the stomach, so eating them would help out.
Another great suggestion is antacid medication. It is effective in neutralizing garlic in the stomach.
So, if natural remedies or foods don’t work, getting over-the-counter medications such as antacids would get the job done. We’ll explain more about this next.
How to neutralize garlic in your stomach
Now that you know what neutralizes garlic in the stomach.
Let’s address how you can neutralize garlic in your stomach in these different ways:
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Drinking a lot of fluid, particularly water can neutralize garlic in the stomach.
Other fluid options include lemon juice and clear broth. These would help dilute the garlic in your system and flush it out as well.
Eat Bland Foods
Bland foods effectively neutralize garlic in the stomach.
So, if you’ve consumed excess amounts of garlic, eating bland foods like bananas, toast, rice, and bread is a great way to neutralize it.
Over-the-counter medications
Antacids or antihistamines are over-the-counter medications that neutralize garlic in the stomach.
Because they work quickly in neutralizing stomach acids, they do just as well in counteracting garlic.
How long does garlic stay in your digestive system?
The length of time garlic stays in the digestive system depends on its water-soluble and fat-soluble compounds.
The water-soluble compounds in garlic can stay in your body for 2-3 days.
However, the fat-soluble compounds can take weeks to get fully absorbed in your digestive system.
How do you get garlic out of your system fast?
Drinking plenty of water is the best way to get the garlic out of your system fast.
Water would help to dilute the garlic you’ve consumed and flush it out of your system quickly.
Does garlic dissolve in the stomach?
No, garlic does not dissolve in the stomach.
When you eat garlic, it is broken down by chewing and by the acid and enzymes in the stomach.
However, the active compounds in garlic are not dissolved by the stomach acid.
Instead, they are absorbed through the small intestine.
Why does garlic hurt your stomach?
Garlic can sometimes cause digestive problems such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea in some people.
This is because of the compounds in garlic such as allicin that can be irritating to the digestive system.
Fructan intolerance is another reason garlic could hurt your stomach.
Garlic has a high concentration of fructose polymers also known as fructans, a natural carbohydrate.
Some people are capable of digesting fructans without problems.
But others have issues digesting it and may experience abdominal discomfort when they eat foods high in fructans.
People with this intolerance may also experience stomach pain after consuming garlic.
More related questions
Does milk get rid of garlic breath?
Yes, milk is very helpful in eliminating garlic breath.
The proteins in milk can significantly reduce the concentration of odorous compounds produced by garlic.
So drinking milk can help you get rid of garlic breath.
What should you do if you ate too much garlic and feel sick?
If you ate too much garlic, you could drink plenty of water to flush it out of your system. And eat some bland and easy-to-digest foods.
If you feel sick after consuming too much garlic contact your nearest healthcare provider for help.
Also, avoid eating spicy or fatty foods to prevent an occurrence or increase in abdominal pain.
How to get rid of garlic breath instantly?
To get rid of garlic breath instantly you can start by brushing your teeth or using mouthwash.
Aside from this, you could eat a small piece of parsley, cilantro, or mint.
These herbs have natural breath-freshening properties that neutralize garlic odors.
A cup of green tea would also be effective in eliminating garlic breath.
How to get rid of garlic breath overnight?
Brush your teeth thoroughly before going to bed to remove any leftover bit of garlic in your mouth.
Also, drink plenty of water, this would help flush your mouth of the garlic odor.
How to neutralize garlic body odor?
To neutralize garlic body odor, take a cool bath after eating garlic.
This would cleanse your pores and eliminate the garlic scent from your skin.
After this, you can also use perfume or deodorant to neutralize the smell of garlic on your body.
Conclusion
Garlic is nutrient-rich and can be a very essential cooking ingredient.
Some people even prefer to eat it raw because of its health benefits but it can irritate your digestive system if care isn’t taken.
Luckily, you now know what neutralizes garlic in your stomach.
And through the different natural remedies in this guide or by using some over-the-counter medication, you can reduce the effects.
However, if negative symptoms persist after consuming garlic contact your healthcare provider for help.