Garlic (Allium sativum) is a species of bulbous flowering plants in the genus Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek and chives.

History and Origin
Garlic is among the oldest cultivated crops, dating back to ancient Egypt and China.

Numerous records show that garlic has been cultivated in Mesopotamia for at least 4,000 years. The use of garlic in China and Egypt also dates back thousands of years.

It was consumed by ancient Greek and Roman soldiers, sailors, and rural classes and by the African peasantry.

Well-preserved garlic was found in the tomb of Tutankhamun (c. 1325 BC).

Nutrient Database - USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

Reference Values for Nutrition - FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Cholesterol  Lowering (Garlic supplements, especially aged garlic extract (AGE) and dried garlic powder, show potential in modestly lowering total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, particularly in individuals with slightly elevated levels). While meta-analyses suggest a modest effect, findings remain mixed, with some studies indicating no significant reduction. The effectiveness likely depends on the preparation type and consistency of use, with some evidence pointing to the involvement of sulphur compounds. However, garlic may prolong bleeding times and interact with certain medications, so consult a healthcare provider before using it as a cholesterol-lowering supplement.  

Blood Clotting (One study showed that eating one clove of garlic (about 3 g) daily for 16 weeks led to an 80% reduction in thromboxane). Thromboxane is a substance produced by platelets that causes blood clotting. Research done in the lab also suggests that garlic prevents platelets from clumping together and forming clots.

Detoxify heavy metals in the body (Garlic can help detoxify the body of heavy metals due to its sulphur-containing compounds, which act as chelating agents, binding to metals like lead and cadmium to facilitate their removal from the body). Research in animal studies shows garlic reduces accumulation of metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury by promoting excretion and preventing their uptake. While garlic is considered a promising food for supporting the body's natural detoxification pathways, it's best to consult a healthcare professional for any concerns about heavy metal toxicity or before starting a detox regimen. 

Help you live longer - 2019 Chinese study - A Population-Based Cohort Study

Improve bone health (Garlic helps improve bone health by reducing bone resorption and promoting osteoblast activity, with benefits especially seen in menopausal women by potentially boosting oestrogen and lowering oxidative stress). It also contains beneficial nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C, and its compounds can be incorporated into bone scaffolds to support tissue formation. 

Better liver function (Garlic may promote better liver function due to its sulphur-containing compounds, which help protect against liver damage and aid in liver detoxification. Studies show that garlic may reduce liver fat accumulation, decrease levels of liver enzymes like ALT and AST, and provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it a potentially beneficial food for liver health, particularly for conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Reduced risk of cancer (Garlic appears to reduce the ability of cancer cells to promote the growth of new blood vessels. Increased cell death: Normal cells die at a certain point, and cancer cells are often able to avoid this natural cycle of cell death.

Reduce blood pressure (Garlic lowers blood pressure in hypertensive subjects, improves arterial stiffness and gut microbiota: A review and meta-analysis).

Potent medicinal properties (sulfur compounds, allicin, diallyl disulfide, S-allyl cysteine).

Garlic - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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