Interesting Facts
Everyone has heard of the myth that vampires cannot stand the smell or taste or
garlic, but why? The reason garlic has a very distinct smell is from the
compounds it contains. Garlic contains allicin which is the main reason fresh
cut garlic smells. Roughly after thirty minutes the smell is caused by a
different compound known as diallyl sulfide. Almost all of the compounds that
make garlic smell are sulfide or sulfate compounds. Most people recognize the
smell of sulfur as that or rotting eggs, but the scent of garlic is not quite
that bad. This bad smell is the first thing that will help prevent you from
vampires.
However, if the bad smell alone fails and the vampires are
still after you, having eaten garlic will give you an advantage to staying
alive. Not only does garlic have a potent smell when fresh, it causes the
secretions of organisms that eat it to give off a faint garlic scent. The same
compounds that cause garlic to have its distinct smell when fresh, it also
causes the scent inside our bodies. Enough garlic has to be ingested, which is
roughly a quarter to half an ounce per day, for most people have to have a
noticeable odor because of the garlic. The vampires will be discouraged by this
odor as well because it means your blood will taste foul do to the fact of the
garlic's sulfates and sulfides.
In general, garlic has its good and bad points, but to keep
those vampires away make sure you eat your share and if need be, make a
necklace.
Here
is a site with an interesting song called, "The
Garlic Song." The song was written by Ruthie Gorton, but is sung by Charlie
King.
If you have any questions, comments, or found any errors, please email me at gallant.kirk@students.uwlax.edu.
