What’s All the Stink About?

Pungent and protective, the very compounds that give us garlic breath are the ones that support our immune system. Garlic contains organosulfur compounds that put up a stink against bacteria and viruses. Studies show organosulfur compounds like allicin, potent in garlic, have strong antibacterial and antimicrobial effects.^{2 3} These nutrients also support antioxidant action, fight harmful bacteria like H. pylori in the gut, boost immune cell function, help fight inflammation, and can even be used topically as an acne treatment.^{4 5 6 7} And to remedy that garlic breath, try some lemon water! The acidity can help flush away the stink.

Heart Healthy from Ancient Times to Today

From ancient India, to Rome, through the Renaissance and beyond, garlic is one of the earliest known plants to be used medicinally, and it has stood the test of time.⁸ In ancient Rome, people believed eating garlic could “clean the arteries,” and though that’s not exactly how it works, they were onto something about garlic’s benefit to cardiovascular health—one of garlic’s major superpowers. Studies have shown that garlic supports healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, decreases platelet aggregation, and protects endothelial cells from oxidative damage.^{9 10 11} So go ahead and get your garlic breath on!

Choosing Organic is The Bees Knees

Garlic is not immune from synthetic sprays in conventional farming. Pesticides used on garlic include glyphosate, neonicotinoids, and organophosphates. These sprays endanger the people who grow our food, the environment, and us. One study found that the organophosphates used in conventional garlic farming were dangerous to the farmers’ health, including causing DNA damage.¹² Neonicotinoids are notoriously harmful to bees and can wipe out entire colonies. Interestingly, garlic is registered by the EPA as a natural pesticide, as it makes an effective spray to fend off certain critters and insects. And while synthetic sprays harm the bees that make our planet thrive, garlic extract can help bees keep illnesses at bay and boost their longevity.¹³ Here’s to organic garlic and longevity for us all!

Try Our Tomato & Garlic Confit Pasta

For this recipe, tomatoes and garlic are slowly cooked in olive oil until they’re wrinkled and fragrant. The end result is a dish bursting with flavor that is glorious when served over pasta!

GET THE RECIPE

References

1. Scherrer, E. 2020. “Warding off Vampires & Other Garlic Folklore.” Garden City Harvest. Garden City Harvest. September 18, 2020. https://www.gardencityharvest.org/the-real-dirt-garden-city-harvest-blo….
2. Gebhardt, R., & Beck, H. (1996). Differential inhibitory effects of garlic-derived organosulfur compounds on cholesterol biosynthesis in primary rat hepatocyte cultures. Lipids, 31(12), 1269–1276. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02587912
3. Drake VJ. Garlic and organosulfur compounds. Linus Pauling Institute Oregon State University. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/garlic/ July 2008. Accessed January 2023.
4. Sánchez-Gloria, J. L., et al. (2022). Role of Sulfur Compounds in Garlic as Potential                             Therapeutic Option for Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Asthma. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(24), 15599. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232415599
5. Percival, S. (2016) Aged Garlic Extract Modifies Human Immunity, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume146, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.115.210427
6. Zardast, M., Namakin, K., Esmaelian Kaho, J., & Hashemi, S. S. (2016). Assessment of antibacterial effect of garlic in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori using urease breath test. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine, 6(5), 495–501.
7. Ried, K., Toben, C., & Fakler, P. (2013). Effect of garlic on serum lipids: an updated meta-analysis. Nutrition reviews, 71(5), 282–299. https://doi.org/10.1111/nure.12012
8. Rivlin R. S. (2001). Historical perspective on the use of garlic. The Journal of nutrition, 131(3s),951S–4S. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/131.3.951S
9. Ried, K., Toben, C., & Fakler, P. (2013). Effect of garlic on serum lipids: an updated meta-analysis. Nutrition reviews, 71(5), 282–299. https://doi.org/10.1111/nure.12012
10. Stevinson, C., Pittler, M. H., & Ernst, E. (2000). Garlic for treating hypercholesterolemia. A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Annals of internal medicine, 133(6), 420–429. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-133-6-200009190-00009
11. Borlinghaus, J., et al. (2014). Allicin: chemistry and biological properties. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 19(8),12591–12618. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules190812591
12. Sapbamrer, R., Hongsibsong, S., Sittitoon, N., & Amput, P. (2019). DNA damage and adverse neurological outcomes among garlic farmers exposed to organophosphate pesticides. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 72, 103241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2019.103241
13. Borges, D., Guzman-Novoa, E., & Goodwin, P. H. (2020). Control of the microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae in honey bees (Apis mellifera) using nutraceutical and immuno-stimulatory compounds. PloS one, 15(1), e0227484. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227484