Much of garlic’s scientific interest centres on allicin and related sulfur compounds.
Published in the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the review “Potential Health Benefit of Garlic Based on Human Intervention Studies: A Brief Overview” by Ansary et al. summarised evidence from human intervention studies showing that garlic and its bioactive compounds may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, and metabolic effects. The authors also noted that garlic’s rapid metabolism and limited bioavailability make further well-controlled clinical research necessary to confirm some of these health benefits.
In a study published in the National Library of Medicine reviewed the effects of garlic on cardiovascular disorders. The study reported that garlic and its preparations may have cardioprotective effects, including reducing risk factors associated with atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, thrombosis, and diabetes. The authors highlighted that bioactive compounds in garlic, particularly allicin and other sulfur-containing compounds, contribute to antioxidant activity, lipid regulation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and possible blood pressure-lowering effects. While experimental studies showed encouraging results, human clinical trials demonstrated variable outcomes, especially regarding cholesterol reduction, due to differences in garlic preparations, dosage, and study duration. The review concluded that garlic has potential benefits in cardiovascular disease prevention, but further standardized clinical research is required to confirm its therapeutic role.
