There are several health benefits of garlic. Amazingly, garlic is the oldest known medicinal plant variety in existence. Not only has it been used for treatment of different illness from time in memorial, garlic is also one of the best medicinal treasures as it is uses as an antibiotic to treat bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections for the last decades. It is also originally used in places ranging from a native of Central Asia and north eastern Iran as a traditional medicine.However, because of its uncomfortable smell, a lot of people avoid the plant as much as possible despite how beneficial garlic is to their health. But garlic is like every good medicine that has either a bitter taste or an odd smell. Be that as it may, the obnoxious smell of garlic should be nothing compared to the health benefits of the plant. Here are some of the unbelievable health benefits of garlic;

1. Garlic purifies the blood

All you need do is to take two cloves of raw garlic with some warm water every day, early in the morning and consume a lot of water the entire day. This tackles the root cause of acne by purifying your blood from inside to get a healthy skin on the outside. And if you’re looking to shed some pounds, squeeze the juice of half a lemon in a glass of lukewarm water and have it with 2 cloves of garlic in the mornings. In addition, garlic will helps to cleanse the system and flush out toxins as well.

2. Anti-bacterial and Anti-parasitic

Scientific studies have even gone further to suggest that diluted garlic extract helps children with tapeworm infections. Although a garlic-based mouthwash may not sound interesting, a very small quantity of its extracts is sufficient to ward off cavity-causing bacteria.

3. lowers cholesterol levels

Garlic is rich in the allicin compound and effectively prevents cholesterol from oxidizing. It is, therefore, advisable for people who have high cholesterol level to include garlic in their daily diet.

4. controls diabetes

Diabetes can harm the kidneys; inhibit nervous system functions, cause heart disorders, and even lead to poor eyesight. But, the oil extracted from garlic may protect diabetic patients from these side effects. It also helps to treat Intestinal Problems like dysentery, diarrhea, and colitis. It does not affect the functioning of useful organisms in the intestine, which aid in digestion, but it does destroy the harmful bacteria present in the intestines.

5. Helps to treat infected wound

Garlic can be placed on infected wounds. But rather than applying it in its raw form, garlic should be mixed with three drops of water as the undiluted juice can irritate the skin.

6. Increases libido

Surprisingly, garlic has been proven to have certain aphrodisiac properties. This means that as an herb, garlic can be used as an effectual s*x rejuvenating and enhances the libido of both men and women. Owing to this, it is advisable for people who overindulge in s*xual activities to consume garlic in their diet or in supplemental form, as it will help protect them from experiencing nervous fatigue.

Winter’s going strong. And we all know the cold weather can really do a number on skin, drying out your face and robbing you of your natural glow. Never fear – we can help you beat dull winter skin with a quick morning routine that’ll leave you fresh faced for whatever comes your way that day!

1. GET YOUR STRETCH ON

Your morning beauty routine begins even before you hit the bathroom. Start the day with a few good stretches. This helps combat dark circles by increasing your blood flow (plus you’ll feel totally calm and refreshed).

2. A CLEAN START

Next, wash your face. Morning cleansing washes away the night and any leftover makeup you may have missed, leaving you feeling ready to face the day…literally. Use warm to slightly cool water. The hotter the water, the more drying it is to your skin.

3. SCRUB-A-DUB-DUB

It’s important to exfoliate in the winter so you can get rid of all that dead, flaky skin. Exfoliating leaves your skin feeling soft and brightens the overall look of your face. Sensitive skin? Find an exfoliating scrub created specifically for your skin type, or only exfoliate once a week. Time-Saving Tip: Exfoliating pads are gentle, fast and easy to use!

4. GIVE YOUR SKIN A DRINK

Now give your skin an added boost by using a hydrating mist on your face. Think of it as a drink of water for your skin. Give an extra spritz at the end of your morning skin routine, too, to ensure your makeup stays put all day long.

5. MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE

Never, ever skip moisturizing your skin – no matter what your skin type. Believe it or not, even oily skin needs moisture. Apply your face cream while your skin is still damp to help seal in the moisture and further combat dryness. Also, look for products that are oil based (rather than water based) to help attract moisture to your skin. Make sure you use a facial cream with SPF because you still need protection in the winter. Time-Saving Tip: Use a tinted moisturizer and you can skip foundation!

You’re now washed, exfoliated and moisturized! Your skin should be glowing and ready for whatever the winter day has in store for you. Proceed with your makeup (Burlington has a ton at great deals!) and you’ll be totally radiant and ready to go. For more head-to-toe pampering ideas, check out Burlington’s bath and body sets – all priced to please. Find a huge selection of face washes, exfoliating cleansers, beauty essentials and more at a Burlington store near you.

Finding the right diet to best help you reach your goals is overwhelming. It can be such a challenge that it prevents you from even starting. We took care of the hard work for you, analyzing different diet plans based on cost, menu variety, and tools for member success. After all, when a program is catered to your needs, you're going to be a lot more likely to follow it. After rigorous testing, Nutrisystem ranked best in the category because of their great-tasting food, convenience, and affordability.

Nutrisystem is committed to providing the highest quality product to its customers. The menu was just one of the factors that put it in a class of its own. We tested an assortment of the plans' 150+ food options and were wowed by the menu's quality and variety (our top picks were the savory buffalo chicken pizza and the BBQ pulled pork sandwich). Unlike other programs, you can diet without giving up your favorite foods, which makes staying on the path to weight loss a lot easier.

Their goal is to simplify the complicated dieting process. They provide a 4-week shipment of food from their extensive menu of perfectly portioned meals. This means customers don't have to worry about tracking points like they do on other diets. Instead of attending weekly accountability meetings, they have a team of nutritionists and counselors available when you need them. Their meals contain the right amount of fat and high quantities of lean protein, fiber, and good carbs. And everything on the menu takes less than five minutes to cook, which means having a healthy breakfast is as easy as grabbing a snack bar or muffin on the way out the door.

The affordability of the program is what cemented it as our top pick. There is no fee to join and costs range from $7.66 – $11.07 per day depending on the plan. This is a great price, since leading competitors charge nearly twice as much a day for food and then tack on additional membership costs.

Convenience, taste, variety, and affordability make Nutrisystem a clear choice as our pick for best weight loss program. We also had to give them extra points because one of our editors lost 12 pounds during our one month testing process!

*We received complimentary Nutrisystem food for the purposes of this review. All opinions and results are those of Topdust's staff and may differ from yours. This content is sponsored by Nutrisystem.

BAGEL

Bagels, doughnuts, and pastries—all so tempting. You already know you should avoid this stuff at breakfast, and for the most part, you’re probably pretty good at steering clear.

But sugary, buttery cakes-in-disguise aren’t the only foods you should skip during your morning meal (take these 7 seemingly healthy foods nutritionists avoid). There are plenty of other everyday breakfast offenders that are devoid of nutrition or set you up to feel hungry and crave junk later on—and some of them might surprise you. Here are seven AM staples to cut from your breakfast menu ASAP. (For simple and delicious breakfast ideas that will help you reach all of your fitness goals, try the easy-to-follow Metashred Diet.)

CEREAL

Sure, it’s convenient. But the majority of cereals are high in added sugar and low in good-for-you stuff like fiber and protein. As a result, there’s a high chance your stomach will start rumbling again mid-morning, making those mediocre doughnuts in the break room look more appealing than ever.

Instead, trade the O’s or flakes for overnight oats. They’re just as easy and will keep you satisfied all morning, research suggests. And if you really want cereal? Pick a healthier option with at least 5g fiber and less than 10g sugar per serving, and follow these tips to make your bowl more filling.

STORE-BOUGHT BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

An egg and cheese sandwich can be a healthy, filling option for breakfast—if you make it yourself. Many of those boxed frozen ones are packed with sodium, preservatives, and unhealthy fats, according to the Clevland Clinic. (Add healthy fats to your diet instead with these recommendations from nutritionists.)

The greasy breakfast sandwiches from the corner deli or café aren’t usually much better. Try a simple veggie scramble on a slice of whole-wheat toast or a whole-wheat tortilla or this ultimate breakfast for men instead.

GREEN JUICE

Of course, all those vegetables serve up important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, most green juices are also high in sugar (thanks to all the fruit used to sweeten it up) and seriously lacking in both fiber and protein. This means that by itself, it’s a pretty poor breakfast. If you opt to have green juice, look for one that’s low in sugar, and sip it with something—like whole grain toast with nut butter, yogurt with fruit, or eggs. (Or, try one of these super-healthy smoothie recipes instead.)

FLAVORED NONFAT YOGURT

Wait, but isn’t yogurt good for you? Unfortunately, not all fermented dairy foods are created equal. Flavored varieties can pack just as much sugar as that Danish or cinnamon roll you thought you were being smart by avoiding. Plus, skipping the fat might actually put you at risk for gaining weight, research suggests.

Go for plain low-fat or full-fat yogurt instead—experts agree that both can be part of a healthy diet. Sweeten it yourself with honey, maple syrup, or fruit.

PRE-MIXED OATMEAL

Those store-bought packets sure make mornings easy. (Just add water and microwave!) But they’re basically boxed cereal in disguise: Pre-mixed and flavored oatmeals are usually loaded with sugar. What’s more, they’re usually made with instant oats, which are highly processed and lower in fiber than rolled or steel cut oats, according to the USDA.

If there’s no time for a bowl of regular oatmeal, make a batch of homemade instant oatmeal packets instead. They’re just as quick, but they’re higher in fiber. Plus, you get to control the sugar content.

COFFEE

In case you haven’t heard, coffee is really good for you, but a plain cuppa Joe isn’t a substitute for a meal. The caffeine in coffee might dull your appetite temporarily, but chances are, you’ll find yourself scrounging through the snack drawer by mid-morning.

Instead of sipping solo, enjoy your coffee with a meal. Not hungry when you wake up? Have your coffee first, then pack a light meal or snack to eat later in the morning, like fruit and cheese, or half a nut butter sandwich. You’ll be glad you did once the hunger pangs kick in.

TOAST WITH BUTTERY SPREAD

Even if you choose whole wheat, a slice of bread with fake butter is far from an ideal breakfast. For starters, most buttery spreads and margarines contain trans fats, a dangerous, synthetic fat that can raise bad cholesterol, lower good cholesterol, and up your risk for heart disease and diabetes, according to the American Heart Association.

Plus, there’s no protein, fruit, or vegetables here. If you love toast with breakfast, have a slice of whole grain toast with a little bit of real butter, and enjoy it as a side to something more substantial, like a vegetable omelet.

People who look at their smartphones or tablets just before they turn in can take up to an hour longer to sleep than those who choose a more restful activity.

Many of us have bad sleep habits, whether it's scrolling through our phones, getting too engrossed in a book or just not getting up to turn the light off.

But what are the worst things to do before going to bed?

“Any activity that would cause an individual to have an increase in stress levels can impact a good night's sleep,” 

“Generally, as a rule of thumb, anything that might cause excessive anxiety or stress hormones will cause an increase in wakefulness, preventing a proper night’s sleep.”

Experts have warned that lying in bed scrolling through a smartphone before dozing could risk sabotaging quality of sleep.

Professor Espie advised avoiding any stimulating activity before attempting to sleep.

“It’s important to have a ‘wind-down’ routine – an hour to an hour and a half before you go to bed when you don’t do any work, avoid any ‘stimulating’ activity such as strenuous exercise, turn off any electronic devices and give yourself time to relax," he said.

Research reveals avid users of technology pre-bedtime can take up to an hour longer than average to eventually nod off than those who do not.

A Naturalmat survey suggests 15 per cent of Britons look at their smartphone or tablet last thing at night before they go to sleep.

Professor Espie also warned that the activities that affect sleep will vary depending on the individual. For example, he said those who become over-involved in books and find them hard to put down may find reading before bed is not the best choice for them.

Credit : Colin Espie, professor in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Oxford and co-founder of Sleepio, has some answers.