Garlic has long been revered for its medicinal properties as evidenced by ancient writings from Egypt, Greece, China and India extolling its merits. This reverence has escalated in
recent years as a result of the emergence of data indicating that garlic may influence the risk of heart disease and cancer. Experimentally, garlic and its associated sulfur components
are reported to suppress tumor incidence in breast, colon, skin, uterine, esophagus and lung cancers. Its antiviral and antibacterial properties help prevent or fight infection. It also can alleviate nasal congestion.
Scientists have begun studying garlic more intensely recently. Much of this research has focused on blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Studies indicate that allicin, a chemical that forms when garlic is crushed, reduces cholesterol levels and lowers blood pressure. It also appears to reduce the ability of blood platelets to form blood clots, thus possibly reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Ongoing research is indicating that garlic has an anticancer potential. Considerable information points to the ability of garlic to suppress the formation of NOC. NOC are suspect carcinogens in a variety of biological systems and may be a critical environmental factor influencing cancer risk in humans. Exposure to these potential carcinogens can occur through either ingestion or inhalation of preformed nitrosamines or by the ingestion of their precursors. A reduction in nitrosamines may occur as a result of the enhanced formation of nitrosothiols after ingestion of garlic or other allium foods demonstrated that several sulfur compounds fostered nitrosothiols formation, thereby minimizing the amount of nitrite for NOC synthesis.
Both allicin and SAC (S-allyl-cystein), another compound that has been shown to be effective against tumors in laboratory animals, are found in fresh garlic, garlic powder and garlic pills. The main drawback of garlic pills is that the products available vary greatly in the amount of active compounds they contain. Garlic pills are also more expensive than fresh garlic and garlic powder.
Just how much garlic should be consumed to achieve any health benefits is unknown. It takes at least 10 cloves to inhibit blood clotting to the same degree as a daily aspirin. Also, practitioners disagree as to whether cooked or dried garlic confers the same benefits imparted by eating it raw.
While there is no guarantee that garlic will prevent heart disease or cancer. Its main drawback is that it can make the breath smell and cause indigestion, especially when eaten raw. In addition, handling raw garlic can irritate the skin and mucous membranes.