The bold and tangy taste of garlic is part of what makes it so popular. This herb may offer some health benefits, including lowering cholesterol levels and possibly lowering the risk for heart disease.

When you’re looking for superfoods and the potential health benefits these may offer, garlic often tops the list.

This healthy herb is a rich source of phytochemicals, or plant chemicals that some believe can help boost your immune system and possibly lower your risk of health conditions, including heart disease or types of cancer.

A 2021 research review summarized how garlic is viewed for medicinal uses, potential treatments, or future drug development: “The plant’s nutritional content is significant, and it has incredible therapeutic potential. The findings of this study are needed to investigate the therapeutic potential, as it may be a promising option for drug development.”

Bottom line: Despite the claims for what garlic may do for your health, always consult your healthcare team about any supplements or additives and any health conditions or concerns you might have.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), garlic has traditionally been used to treat many health conditions, including:

  • high blood pressure
  • high cholesterol
  • heart disease
  • different types of cancer

Some of these folk uses for garlic have been supported by modern scientific studies, while the jury is still out on others.

It is always best to consult your healthcare team before starting any supplements or natural treatments, and to discuss any health conditions or concerns you might have.

Research suggests that garlic may help lower blood pressure, especially in people with chronically high blood pressure (hypertension).

This 2024 research review noted that garlic could help lower lipid levels and blood sugar levels for some people, though the researchers noted limited clinical data validating that and that any effect would likely be quite small.

A 2020 research review made similar notes, finding that garlic may help lower blood pressure levels and that more research could help validate those findings — while also fleshing out needed guidance on what amounts and dosing protocols could be beneficial in a clinical setting.

Raw garlic and garlic supplements contain the compound allicin. This compound may help relax the smooth muscles in your blood vessels. When those muscles relax, your blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops.

In addition to possibly lowering blood pressure, the NCCIH also reported that garlic may slow the development of atherosclerosis. This is a condition in which cholesterol-containing plaques build up in your arteries. They harden and narrow, which raises your risk of heart attack.

Researchers have also examined the effect of garlic on blood cholesterol levels, but the results have been mixed. Overall, they didn’t show a significant effect on cholesterol.

Overall, research has not shown that garlic prevents cancers. But with its general health benefits that are sometimes tied to cancer development, some research shows the risk may be lower.

This 2019 study reviewing other research did note that garlic and its components do have the potential to prevent and manage different cancers, including an ability to regulate carcinogen metabolism and stop cancerous cell growth and spread. of invasion and migration. The authors also stated that garlic “can also diminish the negative effects of anticancer therapies.”

However, the research they relied on for those conclusions wasn’t focused on humans and didn’t involve conclusive findings, which means that more research would be needed to validate any anti-cancer claims researchers might make about garlic.

Your doctor and healthcare team are the best to discuss any health concerns or issues you might have, including those related to cancer and any possible treatment you might be considering or receiving. Always talk with a healthcare professional before changing anything in your medication or treatment regimes — including adding supplements to your day in hopes they might benefit your health.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers garlic to be safe.

But there are possible risks and side effects to keep in mind.

Outside of bad breath or flatulence, the risks of eating garlic or taking garlic supplements are low. Garlic can cause body odor, heartburn, or upset stomach in some people, according to the NCCIH.

It can thin your blood, which may be risky if you have a bleeding disorder or upcoming surgery.

Consult your healthcare team for more information about the potential risks and side effects of taking garlic for your health.

Although more research is needed, modern science suggests that garlic may have health benefits. This research is building on centuries of traditional medicine and home remedies that have harnessed garlic’s health-promoting powers.

Garlic may not be a cure-all, but it makes a nutrient-rich addition to any diet. Adding it to your daily menu is a delicious way to enjoy the many nutrients and phytochemicals it offers. You can also talk to your doctor for more information about the potential benefits and risks of taking garlic supplements.