Garlic

You are probably most familiar with garlic as a handy ingredient, which can form the basis of soups, stews and pasta sauces. 

The edible bulb of allium sativum, a plant of the lily family, garlic is closely related to onions, leeks and shallots.

As well as tasting delicious, garlic contains potent sulphur compounds, which appear to have some health benefits.

These compounds, released when a clove is crushed or cut, are what give garlic is pungent flavour and smell. 

The most notable of these compounds is allicin. However, diallyl disulfide and s-allyl cysteine are also present and may play just as much a part in garlic’s healthy reputation.

While garlic is highly nutritious, offering decent amounts of manganese, vitamin B6 and vitamin C with very few calories, taking an allicin garlic supplement allows you to fully enjoy the benefits of garlic, without the often overwhelming flavour.

When taken in certain quantities garlic extract can help support your  heart health.

Not quite. However research suggests that taking garlic vitamins could reduce the length of a cold and may even reduce your chances of catching one in the first place.

This is due to garlic’s ability to support the immune system, however studies are limited and more data is needed to prove the theory.

While some people choose to gain the benefits of garlic through eating it in their meals or even popping a clove or two a day, most of us find it more convenient to opt for a garlic supplement.

An odourless organic garlic supplement is best for general use, providing all the benefits of allicin without the lasting garlic flavour and lingering odour.

It is recommended to check for the highest levels of allicin possible, particularly when choosing garlic for heart health.

Black garlic is a fermented version of garlic and contains especially high levels of s-allyl cysteine, which is more easily absorbed and used by the body.

At least 10mg of garlic per day for heart health, or 2000mg a day for immunity.

Garlic is generally considered to be safe, however those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid supplements, as should under 18s. 

Garlic may affect how fast your blood can clot so it is not recommended for anyone taking anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications or those due to have surgery within seven days.

As you may well imagine, taking a garlic supplement may cause breath or body odour. It can also cause headaches and dizziness or stomach pain and bloating.