You may have heard claims that
garlic works wonders for a variety of different medical problems. But are these claims really true? If garlic really does work, does it matter how you take it (raw, cooked, or in supplements)? This article will address some of the questions you may have about the effectiveness of garlic for various uses.
Does Garlic Work for Heart Health?
Some studies have suggested that garlic may work to slow down the progression of
atherosclerosis (
hardening of the arteries). Garlic may also slightly decrease
blood pressure. However, it may not be effective at treating
high cholesterol. Although initial research showed that garlic could
lower cholesterol, more in-depth studies have generally shown no benefit for this particular use, regardless of how the garlic was taken. Even though you may still see information stating that garlic is effective at lowering high
cholesterol, in reality, garlic probably won't help much.
Does Garlic Work for Cancer Prevention?
Studies suggest that a high dietary intake of garlic may decrease the risk of stomach or
colon cancer. However, studies have shown that
garlic supplements probably don't provide this particular benefit. Studies also indicate that garlic does not help to prevent
breast cancer. Early studies have shown that garlic may be beneficial for preventing
prostate cancer, but more research is necessary to support this claim.
