Bollywood actress and author Soha Ali Khan is not just admired for her elegance and acting but also for her disciplined lifestyle and wellness habits. Recently, she shared an intriguing detail about her daily routine – she starts every morning by eating raw garlic on an empty stomach. While this may sound unusual to some, Soha swears by the benefits it brings to her health and energy levels.
Let’s explore why Soha chose raw garlic as her morning companion, how it benefits the body, and why this simple natural practice is gaining popularity among health-conscious individuals.
The Morning Habit That Changed Everything
Soha revealed in an interview that after years of experimenting with diets, fitness, and supplements, she wanted something natural, accessible, and powerful. That’s when she discovered the age-old Ayurvedic practice of consuming raw garlic first thing in the morning. According to her, this one habit helped her feel lighter, more energetic, and less bloated throughout the day.
🧄 Why Raw Garlic?
Garlic, or lahsun as it’s called in Hindi, is known for its medicinal properties. It’s a natural antibiotic, detoxifier, immunity booster, and digestive aid. Eating it raw, especially before breakfast, is said to amplify its benefits, as the compounds remain unaltered by heat or cooking.
💪 Boosts Immunity Naturally
One of the primary reasons Soha Ali Khan includes raw garlic in her morning routine is its immunity-boosting power. Garlic contains allicin, a natural compound with strong antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It helps the body fight off infections and build stronger resistance against seasonal illnesses.
Soha, being a mother and constantly exposed to hectic schedules, believes that this small habit gives her the shield she needs to stay active and healthy.
💥 Aids in Digestion
Another benefit Soha highlights is improved digestion. Garlic stimulates the digestive tract and helps the gut produce the right enzymes to break down food. Eating it on an empty stomach allows the digestive system to absorb its nutrients more efficiently, which can reduce bloating, constipation, and acidity.
For someone who’s careful about what goes into her body, Soha appreciates how garlic supports a clean and efficient digestive process.
❤️ Good for Heart Health
Soha’s concern for long-term wellness extends to her cardiovascular health. Garlic is known to lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood pressure, and improve blood circulation. These benefits reduce the risk of heart-related issues and support overall heart function.
Soha mentions that she’s not just thinking about how she looks today, but also how healthy she will be at 50 and beyond. That’s why garlic is a staple in her day.
⚖️ Weight Management & Detox
Weight maintenance is crucial in the film industry, and Soha has always maintained a fit frame. Garlic helps in fat-burning, especially belly fat. When consumed raw, it helps stimulate metabolism, cleanse the liver, and reduce water retention.
Soha credits raw garlic for helping her feel lighter and less bloated, which in turn motivates her to stay consistent with her workouts and yoga routines.
🧠Mental Clarity and Mood Boost
Interestingly, Soha also shared that ever since she began this habit, she has felt mentally sharper and more focused in the mornings. While garlic is mostly talked about in terms of physical health, it also has neuroprotective properties.
Garlic helps balance stress hormones and promotes blood flow to the brain, making it easier to concentrate. Soha finds this particularly useful when she’s writing or planning content for her social media platforms.
🌿 A Time-Tested Home Remedy
While many celebrities invest in exotic supplements, Soha’s choice stands out because garlic is simple, traditional, and affordable. It’s a reminder that we don’t always need fancy wellness trends – sometimes the best health secrets are already in our kitchens.
Soha mentions her grandmother used to recommend this exact habit, but like many young people, she ignored it back then. Now, years later, she realizes the wisdom in that old remedy.
How She Eats It
Soha clarified that she doesn’t just pop a garlic clove into her mouth and chew it. Here’s her method:
1. She crushes one clove of garlic and leaves it for a minute or two (to activate the allicin).
2. Then, she swallows it with warm water, just like a pill.
3. She waits 30 minutes before having breakfast or tea.
This method minimizes the strong taste while preserving the powerful health benefits.
What About the Smell?
Garlic breath is a common concern, and Soha is no exception. She combats this by chewing a clove or cardamom pod after her breakfast. She also drinks lemon water or uses a tongue scraper as part of her oral hygiene routine.
Soha says the smell is a small price to pay for the amazing benefits – and honestly, she doesn’t even notice it anymore.
🧘♀️ Garlic + Yoga = Inner Glow
Soha is known for her love of yoga, and she believes that starting the day with garlic complements her wellness rituals. Garlic purifies the system, and yoga energizes it. Together, they help her maintain a glow, both inside and out.
She believes that no skincare product can replace the radiance that comes from a healthy gut and clean bloodstream – and garlic contributes to both.
Tips for Those Who Want to Try It
If you’re inspired by Soha Ali Khan’s morning habit, here are some quick tips to follow:
1. Always crush the garlic before consuming to activate its health compounds.
2. Start with half a clove if you're new to garlic and increase slowly.
3. Drink warm water immediately after swallowing it.
4. Avoid eating right away – wait at least 30 minutes.
5. Maintain good oral hygiene to manage the odor.
🚫 Who Should Avoid It?
While garlic has numerous benefits, it may not be for everyone. Those with acid reflux, ulcers, or sensitive stomachs should consult a doctor. Pregnant women or people on blood-thinning medication should also seek advice before starting this habit.
Soha encourages people to listen to their bodies and adopt only those habits that suit their constitution.
Bottom line – Simplicity Wins
In an age of wellness fads and high-end products, Soha Ali Khan’s choice of raw garlic stands out as refreshingly simple yet powerful. This age-old habit not only connects her to her roots but also offers modern benefits backed by science.
By adding just one clove of raw garlic to her morning routine, Soha has discovered a natural path to better digestion, clearer skin, higher energy, and stronger immunity. Her advice? “Don’t underestimate what our grandparents already knew.”
Conclusion
Raw garlic on an empty stomach may sound intense, but for Soha Ali Khan, it’s a life-enhancing ritual that grounds her physically and mentally. If you're looking to improve your health naturally, it might just be the affordable miracle you’ve been missing.