Garlicmay have benefits that go beyond flavoring food. It has been shown to have antibacterial and antioxidant properties.It has also been linked to a reduced risk of developing certain cancers.
Although there is still much to be learned about the exact role garlic might play in reducing the risk of cancer, it might have some benefits in cancers of thegastrointestinal (GI) tractas well as thebreastandprostate.
This article will review the properties of garlic that provide its health benefits, as well as the conditions it may be helpful for, how it can be used, and warnings.
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Garlic Basics
Garlic is a vegetable in theAlliumfamily of bulb-shaped plants. It grows in several sizes and colors and can be planted alongside other vegetables as a natural pesticide.
Garlic contains high levels ofsulfur,flavonoids, and selenium. And, when it is crushed, chopped, or bruised, garlic produces the compound allicin.
Allicin can have an effect on cells called signaling cells, which control cell growth.
Three of the cancer-fighting compounds in garlic are:
4 Benefits of Black Garlic
Health Benefits
When looking at the potential benefits of garlic in relation to cancer prevention, it’s helpful to search for studies that examined a relationship between eating large amounts of garlic and its effect on rates of cancer. Multiple studies have been done on garlic and its role in cancer prevention.
Cancer Reduction/Prevention
Garlic has been associated with a reduced risk of the following cancers:
How Garlic May Reduce the Development of Cancer
Many processes are present when cancer starts to grow, but it all starts with the DNA inside of a cell becoming abnormal. A normal, healthy cell is made in a very predictable process, and then, at the proper time, it undergoes cell death.
The abnormal DNA incancer cellscauses them to make new cancer cells uncontrollably, and the cells do not die when they are supposed to. Substances in garlic may play a role in improving the process of cancer cell growth, including repairing DNA.
For example, a 2019 study supported the role of garlic in DNA repair and prevention of cancer cell development in an experimental lab setting.
Garlic and Cancer Treatment
There is currently research looking at the potential role of garlic in cancer treatment. Most of the research is animal or laboratory research, although there are also human studies. While the research doesn’t quite have clear answers, it is showing some promising results.
According to a 2019 study, garlic may affect signaling pathways in cancer growth in a number of ways, including:
Few studies have been performed on the potential role of garlic treatment in humans, though a 2019 study was encouraging. Gastric cancer is very common worldwide, being the leading cancer diagnosis in some countries. A 2019 study in China found that treatingHelicobacter pylori( H. pylori, a bacterial infection associated with stomach cancer) for two weeks or giving garlic supplementation for seven years significantly reduced the risk of death due to gastric cancer.
How to Use and Buy Garlic for Health
You can use garlic in several ways to boost your health. You may use fresh, uncooked garlic. Other forms of garlic include garlic essential oil, garlic powder, and garlic extract.
How Much Garlic Should You Eat?
Health authorities have issued no dietary guidelines or recommendations for how much garlic to eat daily. In general, one clove is considered a serving.
It may take only a small amount of garlic consumption to provide its cancer-reducing effects. One study from China found consuming raw garlic twice a week was associated with reduced risk of liver cancer.However, it’s hard to estimate actual consumption in dietary research studies.
Preparing and Purchasing Garlic
Preparing fresh garlic is ideal. Though jars of minced garlic are convenient and tasty, only a small fraction of the phytonutrients survive over time. Allicin is released when garlic is exposed to air, so it’s important to chop or use your garlic press and then allow the garlic to sit exposed to air for around 10 minutes before adding it to a salad or using it in cooking.
When buying fresh garlic, consider the following:
Cooking With Garlic
It appears that microwave cooking can break down most of the healthy parts of this vegetable. Better options can include lightly sautéing, steaming, or baking.
What If You Don’t Like Garlic?
Some people simply don’t like garlic, but there are options that provide similar benefits.
Other foods that contain cancer-fighting allicin include:
Concerns About Supplementary Garlic
Two 2019 studies raised concerns about antioxidant supplements and cancer.
It’s important to note that these studies looked at antioxidant supplements, not dietary sources. Supplements may contain very high levels of the compounds, significantly more than would naturally be eaten. It is always important to discuss any supplements you’re taking with your cancer care team.
Cancer Prevention LifestyleWhile there is some good evidence that garlic may lower cancer risk, using garlic alone isn’t enough to prevent it entirely. Nutrition experts recommend combining garlic with other vegetables, fruits, dietary fiber, and regular exercise to improve your prevention strategies.
Cancer Prevention Lifestyle
While there is some good evidence that garlic may lower cancer risk, using garlic alone isn’t enough to prevent it entirely. Nutrition experts recommend combining garlic with other vegetables, fruits, dietary fiber, and regular exercise to improve your prevention strategies.
Summary
Garlic contains compounds that can benefit your health, including possibly reducing the risk of cancer. The compounds in garlic are more abundant when garlic is eaten raw, or lightly cooked, to prevent these protective compounds from breaking down.
This is just one step that can be taken when following a diet and living a healthy lifestyle with the goal of reducing the risk of cancer.
Does Garlic Lower Cholesterol?
A Word From Verywell
Eating garlic can be an easy way to introduce some health-protective compounds into your diet. It can be included in an overall healthy lifestyle along with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and with regular exercise. To avoid adverse interactions with medications you take, never take any supplements without discussing with your healthcare team first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Eating garlic as close to its raw state as possible may give the best health benefits. Cooking garlic at very high heat, such as in a microwave, can possibly destroy the beneficial compounds in the garlic.
You shouldn’t eat too much garlic or take garlic supplements if you are on blood-thinning medications. The combination could increase your risk of bleeding. People taking certain medications to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) should avoid using too much garlic, as it interferes with how the medication works.
The exact amount of garlic needed is not known. However, it is suggested that one to two raw cloves of garlic daily can provide health benefits.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Nicastro, H., Ross, S., and J. Milner.Garlic and onions: Their cancer prevention properties.Cancer Prevention Research.2015. 8(3):181-189
Petrovic V, Nepal A, Olaisen C, et al.Anti-cancer potential of homemade fresh garlic extract is related to increased endoplasmic reticulum stress.Nutrients. 2018;10(4):450.
National Cancer Institute.Stomach cancer causes and risk factors.
Liu X, Baecker A, Wu M, et al.Raw garlic consumption and risk of liver cancer: a population-based case-control study in Eastern China.Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2038. doi:10.3390/nu11092038
Nicastro HL, Ross SA, Milner JA.Garlic and onions: Their cancer prevention properties.Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2015;8(3):181-9. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-14-0172
National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health.Garlic.
Tattelman E.Health effects of garlic.AFP. 2005;72(1):103-106.
de Cabo R, Mattson MP.Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease.New England Journal of Medicine. 2019. 381(26):2541-2551. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1905136Lee H, Heo JW, Kim AR, et al.Z-ajoene from crushed garlic alleviates cancer-induced skeletal muscle atrophy.Nutrients.2019;11(11):2724. doi:10.3390/nu11112724
de Cabo R, Mattson MP.Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease.New England Journal of Medicine. 2019. 381(26):2541-2551. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1905136
Lee H, Heo JW, Kim AR, et al.Z-ajoene from crushed garlic alleviates cancer-induced skeletal muscle atrophy.Nutrients.2019;11(11):2724. doi:10.3390/nu11112724
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