Benefits of white and black garlic (anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-cancer)

Nancy janssens
Sep 12
17 min read

Foreword

Many people think garlic is just a seasoning for cooking, but it's also a genuine natural medicine and a natural antibiotic. By 2023, over 7,600 peer-reviewed articles had been published on the medicinal benefits of garlic. In this blog post, we'll show you that it's more than just a seasoning.

Garlic has many health benefits, it is inexpensive and easy to grow.

Garlic is a cheap, simple ANTIBIOTIC .

The main benefits of garlic

Garlic is a super detoxifier

Garlic is a super detox food that supports many liver enzymes, stimulates glutathione production, contains multiple sulfur compounds, and is a bioactive selenium.

Garlic is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent.

Garlic is the most effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, containing 39 different antifungal, bacterial, parasitic, and viral agents!

Garlic is extremely anti-inflammatory and is ideal for treating cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Origin

It originates from South Asia, Central Asia, and northeastern Iran and has been used worldwide for thousands of years as a seasoning and medicinal herb. It was known to the ancient Egyptians and was used both as a food flavoring and as a traditional medicine. Today, garlic is found throughout the world.

What is garlic

Allium sativum is a perennial plant in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), a class of bulbous plants that also includes chives, leeks, onions, shallots, and spring onions. Garlic grows underground in a bulb. This bulb has long green shoots that emerge from above, while the roots extend downward.

What is a garlic clove? The garlic bulb is covered with several layers of inedible, papery skin. When peeled, the bulb can contain up to 20 edible cloves. Garlic contains many sulfur compounds.

Garlic food contains numerous essential nutrients – flavonoids, oligosaccharides, amino acids, allicin, and high sulfur content (to name a few).

Flavonoids always have anticancer effects (Dr. Russel Blaylock, neurosurgeon). Raw garlic also contains approximately 0.1 percent essential oil, the main components of which are allylpropyl disulfide, diallyl disulfide, and diallyl trisulfide.

Taste, smell and culinary

Garlic is intensely aromatic and flavorful and is used in virtually every cuisine around the world. When eaten raw, it has a strong, pungent flavor. You can eat it raw or cooked. It's also used in marinades.

It is particularly rich in certain sulfur compounds that are believed to be responsible for its aroma and flavor. Black garlic is sweeter and milder in aroma and flavor.

In this article they show several studies on the effects of cooking garlic. See article

Dosage, use and supplement

Garlic can be found as a supplement in various ways, such as:

-Powdered form (dried) (both white and black available)

-Capsules

-garlic oil for applying to the skin

-Macerates of garlic oil

-garlic essential oil

You can mix the garlic powder in your

-Smoothie

-Green herbal drink

-Some herbal tea (drink fresh herbal tea, don't buy it in bags)

-Protein shake

-Soup

Dose Supplement powder

White garlic powder: 600–2,400 mg daily for 8–24 weeks

--> You can take capsules 3 times a day 600mg (1800gr)

--> or you can take capsules 3 x a day 400mg (1200mg)

Black garlic powder: 240–2,400 mg daily for 2–22 weeks

One site says you can take a higher dose of black garlic than white garlic, while another says to take a lower dose than white garlic. I would use the same dose as the white garlic.

Most capsule companies have a dosage range of 1000-1600mg per day.

There is no official standard intake

Some suggest a maximum of 2400mg, while others suggest a maximum of 1200mg. While there's no standard intake of garlic, they often recommend 1 to 2 cloves. Interestingly, no serious toxic side effects were reported in many clinical studies, even at high doses. I would always start with a low dose.

See article

Detox: Eating two cloves (about 2-5 grams) of raw, crushed garlic every morning is a great way to start your detox journey. You can start with just one clove. You can use black or white garlic, as the black variety contains more antioxidants.

See article

Please note:

Some people may have an allergic reaction. If used excessively, some people experience side effects such as heartburn, upset stomach, excessive bad breath, and body odor, especially with raw garlic.

Garlic allergies are rare and occur within two hours of consumption. The main symptoms are a rash, swelling in the mouth, and difficulty breathing. However, garlic intolerance is not uncommon, and symptoms include bloating, nausea, and diarrhea, which can occur after a few hours of consumption. This is very rare.

Consult your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) , as a sudden increase in garlic intake may cause some interaction.

Do not use garlic supplements if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants). Garlic supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of medications.

Stop using garlic at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

What is the difference between black and white garlic?

White and black garlic are both delicious in cooking and have many of the same health benefits.

White garlic has slightly fewer antioxidants than black garlic. However, white garlic contains more allicin, the substance responsible for many of its health benefits. Raw white garlic also contains slightly more vitamin C than black garlic.

White garlic has a strong odor and flavor, making it ideal for seasoning dishes.

-See research on the health benefits of Allicin. See article

-See the blog Allicine by naturopath Dr. Josh Axe. See the doctor's blog

Black garlic is sweeter and milder in taste and aroma. It has more antioxidants and a mild, pleasant aroma.

Ultimately, though, they're both healthy choices, and which one you choose is entirely a matter of personal preference. To get the most therapeutic benefits, try incorporating a combination of the two into your diet.

Research the difference between white and black garlic

Black garlic

Black garlic has a dark brown to black color, a stickier, jelly-like consistency, and completely loses the typical pungent taste and aroma of white (fresh) garlic, giving it a sweet and sour taste.

The production processes of black garlic also involve changes in the content and proportions of bioactive ingredients, such as organic sulfur compounds, polyphenols, organic acids, or reducing sugars.

This is due to the breakdown of polysaccharides or those produced during the Maillard reactions. Our studies have shown significantly higher levels of total soluble solids (°Brix) and total reducing sugars in black garlic compared to unprocessed white garlic. This means that the aging process used increased the sum of free reducing sugars by more than 3.5.

The total polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity of black garlic were significantly higher in black garlic than in white garlic. See the research article .

We sell white and black garlic in the Gezond Wereldnieuws webshop . We sell the powder, black garlic bulbs, and homemade garlic capsules. See webshop.

Garlic benefits at a glance

1-Detox effects of garlic

2. Garlic increases glutathione levels

3-Antiparasites

4-Antifungal

5-Antibacterial and Antiviral

6-Antioxidant

7-Anti-inflammatory

8-Anticancerous effects

9-Protects the liver

10-Heart & blood vessels

11-Diabetes

12-Alzheimer's and dementia

13-Strengthens immune system

14-Anti-allergic

15- Hair loss in men and women (Alopecia)

16-Skin problems

17-Improve athletic performance

Benefits of detailed explanation

1-Detox effects of garlic

Garlic contains organosulfur compounds (OSCs), making it a perfect detoxification supplement. These compounds increase the number of detoxification enzymes while simultaneously boosting glutathione and sulfur levels, giving the enzymes ample resources to work with.

Regular intake of foods rich in organic sulfur compounds is essential to enable the body to remove heavy metals.

Garlic contains over twenty types of organic sulfur compounds , broadly classified as water-soluble and oil-soluble. Some of the water-soluble sulfur compounds are alliin, S-allylcysteine, and S-allylmercaptocysteine, which are responsible for a range of protective effects.

Garlic is a "superfood" that can naturally aid in detoxification. It contains many bioactive components, such as organic sulfides, saponins, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides.

Garlic and its bioactive components exhibit many protective effects. Garlic is packed with diverse bioactive compounds that are crucial for removing toxins from our bodies.

See article bioactive substances

Research in rats showed that Allicin found in garlic contained detoxification capabilities and had antioxidant effects.

See article

Garlic is a good detoxifier:

-garlic detoxes your liver

-garlic detoxifies the cardiovascular system

-garlic detoxifies heavy metals

Garlic plays a significant role in promoting digestion and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Garlic's antifungal and antiparasitic properties help keep your gut flora balanced. Garlic is an excellent cleanser of parasites and fungi in your intestines.

Liver detoxification

The abundance of allicin in crushed garlic helps activate liver enzymes. These enzymes mediate the attachment of the sulfur group present in allicin (or other organic sulfur compounds) to toxins accumulated in the liver through a process called sulfation. This process is crucial for detoxification and protection of the liver from toxicity.

Detoxification of heavy metals

Allicin facilitates the elimination of heavy metals from the body by binding to excess heavy metals in the bloodstream, promoting natural detoxification.

Besides allicin, garlic also contains other bioactive sulfur compounds, such as S-allylcysteine and diallylsulfide. These compounds are involved in detoxifying the body from deadly heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic.

Garlic is rich in minerals such as selenium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, which also play a role in removing accumulated heavy metals. See article

Cardiovascular system detoxification

Garlic has a direct and positive effect on several parameters that determine cardiovascular health, such as:

-Total cholesterol

-Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol

-Other non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)

-Triglycerides and blood pressure

Garlic has also been shown to prevent the aggregation of platelets that form clots in blood vessels and also improve the dissolution of formed clots.

Overall, garlic consumption can reduce and improve the incidence of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis.

Although the exact bioactive compounds involved and their mechanism of action remain to be identified, garlic use in several clinical trials has generally shown promising pharmacological effects that contribute to cardiovascular health. See article

Here's another article confirming that garlic protects the cardiovascular system. See article.

This doctor says they even administer garlic intravenously. This speaks volumes about garlic's medicinal value. See the doctor's article.

2. Garlic increases glutathione levels

Garlic increases levels of glutathione , a powerful antioxidant secreted by the liver. Glutathione initiates our body's defense mechanism against oxidative stress and scavenges harmful free radicals to neutralize them.

See article

In endothelial cells (which line the inner walls of blood vessels), garlic-derived allicin reduced ROS production and increased glutathione concentration. It is thought that allicin interacts with glutathione as it crosses cell membranes to form SAMG, which could prolong allicin's antioxidant activity. See article

This article also confirms that glutathione is increased by consuming garlic. See article

3-Antiparasites

What mainly causes mold and parasites?

-Everything that is chemical and synthetic

-White flour and pasta: bread, pastries, crackers, cookies, pasta, chips, etc.

-Heavy metals (found in dental materials, kitchen utensils, vaccines, medicines, personal care products, deodorant, chemtrails)

-Processed sugar stimulates fungus enormously

-Additives

-glyphosate

-Pesticide

-Fluoride

-phosphoric acid

-All acidic substances

-Etc...

We are literally bombarded with toxins, causing people worldwide to suffer from parasites and fungi. Parasites and fungi cause cancer, diabetes, all kinds of gastrointestinal diseases, skin diseases, and so on.

For this reason, regular parasite and fungal detoxification of our intestines is important, as our gut microbiota is closely linked to the proper functioning of other vital organs such as the brain, heart, and immune system.

The immune system is 70% formed in the intestines. If the gut flora is out of balance due to fungi, you can become seriously ill. When your gut flora is out of balance, you usually experience headaches (brain problems). That's why naturopaths often say: "Your gut is your second brain."

Naturopath Dr. Edward Group says that if people were to do a parasite cleanse, more than half would recover from their symptoms. He concludes that too many people have fungi and parasites.

Garlic is ideal for removing parasites and fungi.

Garlic plays a significant role in promoting digestion and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome . The carbohydrates in garlic (fructans) act as a prebiotic , stimulating the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and repairing the intestinal wall damage that occurs during an acute infection. See article

Garlic was tested in vivo and in vitro for its activity against cestodes (Hymenolepis diminuta, H. microstoma, and Taenia taeniaeformis) and trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, Echinostoma caproni) in worms. In all in vitro tests, the target parasites died.

See article

In this article, they write that garlic has antiparasitic activity, including against some important protozoan parasites in the human intestines, such as Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. See article

4-Antifungal

Garlic extracts have been found to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Thiosulfinates, especially allicin, are believed to play a significant role in garlic's antimicrobial activity. Garlic also showed antifungal activity, particularly against Candida albicans. See article .

A small randomized controlled trial found that applying 1% ajoene cream to the skin twice daily was as effective in treating tinea pedis (a fungal skin infection known as athlete's foot) as 1% terbinafine (Lamisil) cream. See article

In this study, they examined 110 women with itching or a burning sensation in the vaginal area. After 7 days, they saw an improvement in the vaginitis. See article

5-Antibacterial and Antiviral

In this study, she concluded that garlic extract significantly improved cold and flu symptoms. Because the function of immune cells was improved, this was partly the reason for the reduction in cold and flu symptoms. See article

Allicin in its pure form was shown to exhibit antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria, including Escherichia coli. See article

Garlic has a broad spectrum of activity; it is not only antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiprotozoal, but also has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems. See article

In this study, people consumed garlic supplements or a placebo for twelve weeks during the cold season (between November and February). Those who took the garlic supplement were less likely to catch a cold, and if they did catch one, they recovered faster than the placebo group.

The placebo group also had a much higher chance of developing more than one cold during the 12-week treatment period. It is believed that allicin, in particular, plays a significant role in the antimicrobial effect of this vegetable. See article

This link provides several articles and studies demonstrating garlic's antibacterial and antiviral effects. See the Linus Pauling Institute article .

6-Antioxidant

In this study, they tested Greek garlic. Garlic's antioxidant capacity has strong antioxidant properties thanks to its nutritional and phenolic compounds. See article

In this study, they investigated the antioxidant properties of aged garlic extract (black garlic). Aged garlic was shown to contain organosulfur compounds, polyphenols, and Maillard reaction products, such as Na-(1-deoxy-D-fructos-1-yl)-L-arginine.

These chemicals have demonstrated in vitro radical-scavenging properties. It has been proposed that the antioxidant properties of aged garlic play a role in preventing endothelial dysfunction (heart and blood vessel problems). See Article

In this study, they conclude that administering garlic to diabetic patients lowered their blood glucose levels and increased antioxidant activity. See article

This study showed that garlic consumption can reduce oxidative stress. See article

Research into the training effect of resistance and endurance

Garlic administration improved the training effect against oxidative stress by modulating oxidative stress markers, such as TAC and MDA, after eight weeks of treatment with a dose of 250 mg garlic capsule per day for eight weeks. See article

This study confirms that the antioxidant effects of black garlic are much more powerful than those of white garlic. See article

This article provides several studies on the antioxidant effects of garlic. See the article

This link will take you to several articles and studies that demonstrate garlic's antioxidant effects. See the Linus Pauling Institute article .

7-Anti-inflammatory

Most chronic diseases are an inflammatory response in the body. Chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases, autoimmune diseases, all inflammatory diseases, etc.

That's why most naturopaths focus on eliminating inflammation. Garlic is incredibly anti-inflammatory.

This study showed anti-inflammatory effects of black garlic on mice. See article

This link will take you to several articles and studies that garlic has anti-inflammatory effects. See the Linus Pauling Institute article .

8-Anticancerous effects

Italian oncologist Tullio Simoncini discovered that all tumors are a fungus. He even wrote a book about it: "Cancer is a Fungus." Most chronic diseases are also an inflammatory response and a form of toxicity. Garlic has powerful antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and antioxidant effects. These are important for preventing and reversing cancer.

Allium vegetables, especially garlic and onions, and their bioactive sulfur compounds are believed to have effects at every stage of cancer formation and influence many biological processes that modify cancer risk, according to a review published in Cancer Prevention Research.

Black garlic induces inhibition of gastric cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. See article

In this study, they tested black and white garlic for their immune-modulating effects. The black garlic extracts showed the strongest antioxidant and anticancer activity. White garlic also has anticancer effects, but because black garlic contains more antioxidants, it will be slightly more anticancer than the white variety. See article .

This study says that black garlic reduced the growth of leukemia cells. See article

The results of this study showed that black garlic inhibited the growth of HT29 cells by inducing apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle. Black garlic inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in HT29 cells, suggesting that black garlic may be effective in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer in humans. See article

This article presents several studies on the anti-cancer effects of garlic. See article

This link will take you to several articles and studies that garlic has anti-cancer effects. See the Linus Pauling Institute article .

9-Protects the liver

In this study, she showed that black garlic reduced liver damage in rats . See article

In this study, they also concluded that black garlic could inhibit liver damage in rodents. See article

10-Heart & blood vessels

Garlic is widely recognized as a preventative and treatment for many cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, hypertension, and diabetes. Numerous studies show that garlic has cardioprotective effects, both in animal and human studies. See article

Plaque in the veins

The most amazing property that garlic has been shown to have is that it helps reverse early heart disease by removing plaque buildup in the arteries .

A 2016 randomized, double-blind study published in the Journal of Nutrition involved 55 patients, aged 40 to 75, diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. The study's results showed that black garlic extract effectively reduced plaque in the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the heart) of patients with metabolic syndrome. See article

One of the lead investigators, Matthew J. Budoff, MD, noted:

This study is another demonstration of the benefits of this supplement in reducing the buildup of soft plaque and preventing the formation of new plaque in the arteries, which can cause heart disease.

We completed four randomized trials and these led us to the conclusion that black garlic can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis and reverse the early stages of heart disease.

Endothelial dysfunction research

Clinical studies have shown that aged garlic extract (AGE) improves endothelial dysfunction. Aged garlic has been shown to contain organosulfur compounds, polyphenols, and Maillard reaction products, such as Na-(1-deoxy-D-fructos-1-yl)-L-arginine.

These chemicals have in vitro radical-scavenging properties. It has been proposed that the antioxidant properties of aged garlic play a role in preventing endothelial dysfunction.

See Article

What is endothelial dysfunction?

Endothelial dysfunction is a form of non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in which there are no blockages in the heart artery, but the large blood vessels on the heart's surface constrict (narrow) instead of dilating (opening)

Aged garlic extract improves endothelial function in men with coronary heart disease. See article

High Blood Pressure

The study, published in the scientific journal Maturitas, evaluated 50 people with "uncontrolled" blood pressure. It found that taking four capsules of black garlic extract (960 milligrams) daily for three months reduced blood pressure by an average of 10 points. See article

If these people were to change their entire lifestyle, they would be able to recover.

Another study published in 2014 found that the vegetable “has the potential to lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, comparable to standard blood pressure medications.”

This study further explains that the vegetable's polysulfides could promote the opening or dilation of blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. See article

Cayenne pepper can also dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Cayenne pepper is THE herb for blood vessels.

See blog cayenne pepper

This link will take you to at least 10 articles and studies showing that garlic can lower blood pressure. You'll also find other articles that garlic improves the heart and blood vessels.

See article Linus Pauling Institute

11-Diabetes

Eating this popular vegetable has been shown to:

-Helps regulate blood sugar levels

-Stops or reduces the effects of some diabetes complications

-Fights infections

-It lowers cholesterol

-Stimulates blood circulation.

See article

This study with diabetic rats showed that this vegetable can be very helpful in improving the overall health of diabetics, including reducing common diabetes complications such as atherosclerosis and nephropathy. These rats, fed a daily raw garlic extract for seven weeks, had significantly lower serum glucose (blood sugar), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. See article.

In this study, they conclude that administering garlic to diabetic patients lowered their blood glucose levels and increased antioxidant activity. See article

This article presents several studies on the anti-obesity effects of garlic. See article

12-Alzheimer's and dementia

More and more naturopaths and independent researchers are concluding that Alzheimer's and dementia are caused by food, medication, and vaccines. Statins dehydrate your brain, and vaccines contain aluminum, which also causes dementia and Alzheimer's. It's crucial for these people to detox from heavy metals. On the other hand, they should adjust their lifestyle.

Garlic is a powerful detoxifier and antioxidant that can support the body's defense mechanisms against oxidative damage in Alzheimer's and dementia patients. In Alzheimer's patients, β-amyloid peptide plaques are often observed in the central nervous system, and these plaque deposits result in the production of reactive oxygen species and neuronal (cells in the nervous system) damage.

A study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry found "significant neuroprotective and neurorescue properties" of black garlic extract and its active ingredient, SAC. The researchers conclude from their findings that the aged extract, along with SAC, could be used to develop future medications for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. See article

13-Strengthens immune system

In this study, they tested black and white garlic for their immune-modulating effects. The black garlic extracts showed the strongest antioxidant and anticancer activity.

These results indicate that the immune-stimulating activities of white and black garlic are due to their antioxidant and anticancer properties. See article

This article presents several studies on the immunomodulatory effects of garlic. See article

14-Anti-allergic

In conclusion, this study has shown that EBG or BG10 possess anti-allergic functions in vitro and in vivo systems. See article

This article contains several studies on the anti-allergic effects of garlic. See article

15- Hair loss in men and women (Alopecia)

In Turkey, treating baldness with garlic is becoming increasingly common. Researchers from the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in Iran tested how garlic gel, applied to the scalp twice daily for three months, can affect people taking corticosteroids for alopecia.

Alopecia is a common autoimmune skin disease that causes hair loss on the scalp, face, and sometimes other parts of the body. See article

16-Skin problems

Orally, garlic is packed with health benefits and can also be applied topically for psoriasis, alopecia areata, keloid scars, wound healing, corns, viral and fungal infections, leishmaniasis, skin aging, and rejuvenation. This article discusses various skin conditions. See article

You can also apply fresh garlic to your skin at home. If you're experiencing serious skin issues, you can apply it immediately. Crush a few garlic cloves (preferably with a garlic press) and apply them directly to your skin. Rinse after 15 minutes or if you notice any irritation.

17-Improve athletic performance

In this study, 46 untrained boys were tested. They took a low dose of 250 mg garlic capsules daily for 8 weeks. They observed an improved resistance and endurance training effect against oxidative stress. See article .

History of garlic

Garlic has played an important nutritional and medicinal role throughout history.

South Mesopotamia (South-Central Iraq)

Garlic also served as an important medicine for the Sumerians.

Egyptians

Garlic also served as an important medicine for the ancient Egyptians. Prized for its strengthening and disease-fighting effects, garlic was eaten by slaves, laborers, and soldiers in Egypt.

Greece

There is evidence that during the first Olympic Games in Greece, garlic was fed to athletes to increase endurance.

Ancient Rome

Prized for its strengthening and disease-fighting effects, garlic was eaten by slaves, laborers, and soldiers in Egypt, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome.

China and India

Ancient Chinese and Indian medicine recommended garlic to promote respiratory and digestive health and to treat leprosy and parasitic infestations. In the Middle Ages, garlic also played an important role in treating various diseases.

Persia (Iran)

In his famous book Al Qanoon Fil Tib (The Canon of Medicine), Avicenna recommended garlic as a useful remedy in the treatment of arthritis, toothache, chronic cough, constipation, parasitic infestation, snake and insect bites, gynecological diseases, as well as in infectious diseases (as an antibiotic).

Zoroastrian era

Some of the earliest references to this medicinal plant are found in Avesta, a collection of Zoroastrian-era sacred writings likely compiled in the sixth century BC.

France

With the onset of the Renaissance, special attention was paid to the health benefits of garlic in Europe.

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