Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsWhich Form Is Best?How MuchOther Home Remedies

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Benefits

Which Form Is Best?

How Much

Other Home Remedies

Research has examined garlic’s potential health benefits, including whether it can help ward off or shorten a cold. Other possible uses include lowering blood pressure, preventing and treating heart disease, and preventing cancer.

People have used garlic to treat ailments for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient Egyptians. In 1858, French chemist Louis Pasteur, who found that germs cause disease, noted the ability of garlic to fight bacteria.

Garlic is adaptable; you can eat it raw, cooked, or take it as a supplement. How powerful is it when it comes to effects on health? It’s been widely studied and shows promise, though the benefits have not been fully substantiated.

1. It Can Boost the Immune System

Garliccontains an array of nutrients, including potassium, phosphorus, zinc,and sulfur.It may help boost the immune system, warding off infectious diseases. It can activate important immune system cells likemacrophages,lymphocytes,natural killer cells, andeosinophils.

It is not completely known which substances are responsible for which immune responses, but research continues.

There have been reports that lectin may be unhealthy and cause indigestion when eaten raw or in large quantities, but other research indicates it may benefit immune health.

2. Prevents Colds and the Flu

Garlic could help ward off common viruses that cause colds and flu. One study of 146 people showed that the group of 73 participants who took garlic capsules for 12 weeks had 24 colds, compared to 65 colds among the group of 73 participants who did not take garlic.The study is not enough to confirm garlic is effective.

Garlic has antimicrobial properties that kill bacteria and viruses, primarily due to the compoundsallicinand ajoene. They contain the mineral sulfur, which gives garlic its distinctive odor and taste. Certain forms of sulfur compounds in garlic may be what help prevent colds and flu.

3. Reduces the Severity of Symptoms

Aged garlic extract, in particular, could potentially shorten the duration or severity of a cold. This type of garlic preparation has more active antioxidants, which prevent cell damage, than fresh garlic.

A 90-day clinical trial demonstrated that the people in the study who took the extract had less severe symptoms than those who didn’t. They also missed less work and school.

Raw, Crushed, Powdered, in Food, or Supplements: Which Is Best?

No data is conclusive as to what form of garlic might be best for colds. Both raw garlic and powdered garlic (used in cooking and supplements) contain allicin.Some other components may be retained or lost in processing.

If you chop, crush, or slice raw garlic and let it stand for about 10 minutes, it will develop more allicin and other beneficial compounds.

Research is mixed as to which form of garlic provides the most bioavailability of allicin (meaning it is absorbed and available for the body to use). A study of garlic foods and supplements found a wide range in bioavailability within and between the different preparations.Bioavailability was also affected depending on what else the person consumed.

Check with a healthcare provider before taking garlic supplements because they can interact with medications like blood thinners, and though rare, they may cause headaches or other side effects.

How Much Garlic Should You Eat Per Day?

There are no specific guidelines, but asingle clove of garlicis considered a serving. If you are up for eating raw garlic cloves, try one to two per day.

If you overdo it, you could develop indigestion due to fructans in garlic, which are carbohydrates that are difficult for the body to break down and can lead to extra acidity. That can cause bloating, heartburn, and gas.

Other Home Remedies for Colds

Otherpopular ways to try to soothe your coldinclude:

Chicken soup is a popular home remedy for colds, although research evidence is lacking. As garlic is often an ingredient in chicken soup, and liquids are recommended, it may be a soothing choice.

Summary

Garlic contains many nutrients, including a sulfur-producing compound called allicin, that can benefit your health and may help prevent or ease colds or flu. How effective garlic can be is not fully understood, but the research is promising.

23 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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