Garlic Effectively Lowers Blood Sugar and Cholesterol

Garlic, which is rich in compounds like allicin, has long shown potential for regulating glucose and lipid levels. To investigate its precise mechanisms, optimal dosage, and long-term effects, researchers from Southeast University's School of Public Health, its affiliated Zhongda Hospital, and Tibet Minzu University conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis.

The team systematically searched four major scientific databases, using terms related to garlic, glucose, and lipid metabolism.

The final analysis included 22 published articles, which covered 29 clinical trials with a total of 1,567 participants from 11 different countries, including Canada, the United States, Korea, Iran, and Brazil.

The participants ranged in age from 18 to 80, with the garlic intervention periods lasting from three weeks to one year. While most subjects were not on other medications, some continued their daily prescriptions during the studies. The garlic preparations used varied widely and included powder, raw garlic, garlic oil, aged extracts, and enteric-coated supplements at different daily dosages.

The analysis revealed that garlic interventions were highly effective. They not only helped control fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels but also had a significant positive impact on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), "bad" LDL-C, and "good" HDL-C levels.

Specifically, garlic supplementation led to:

• A reduction in Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) by an average of 7.01.

• A reduction in HbA1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar) by 0.66.

• A reduction in Total Cholesterol (TC) by 14.17.

• A reduction in LDL-C ("bad" cholesterol) by 8.20.

• An increase in HDL-C ("good" cholesterol) by 2.06.

Interestingly, the researchers found that garlic did not have a significant effect on triglyceride levels.

The findings, published in the journal Nutrients, demonstrate that various forms of garlic—including raw, extracts, and tablets—are all effective at improving these key health markers. The researchers conclude that the benefits of garlic for both blood sugar and cholesterol management are clear and significant.