Fact Check: Can Garlic and Milk Eliminate Intestinal Parasites?
An Instagram reel claims that Garlic and Milk Eliminates Intestinal Parasites. The claim is FALSE
Claim
In an Instagram reel it is claimed that Garlic and Milk Eliminates Intestinal Parasites. In the reel by healthyyjevan, it is said, "Mixing onions with Coca-Cola is believed to improve memory and heart health. Combining tomatoes and sugar helps reduce facial blemishes. Mixing coffee with lemon may help reduce bloating and make your stomach look flatter. Garlic mixed with milk is said to eliminate intestinal worms. A blend of banana and honey can soothe dry cough. Follow for daily health tips and share this video."
Dr. Ravindra B S, Director, Gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru in a conversation with The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team said, "The belief that consuming garlic with milk can eliminate intestinal parasites does not align with medical evidence. While garlic has demonstrated some antimicrobial and immune-modulating effects in laboratory and animal studies, these findings do not translate into proven treatment for human parasitic infections. Intestinal parasites in humans are caused by specific organisms such as roundworms, tapeworms, or protozoa, each requiring targeted, prescription-based antiparasitic therapy. To date, there are no well-designed human clinical trials confirming that garlic, milk, or their combination can effectively eradicate these infections. Depending on unproven dietary remedies may delay diagnosis and appropriate treatment, potentially leading to complications such as chronic anaemia, nutritional deficiencies, intestinal obstruction, or systemic involvement. Suspected parasitic infections should always be evaluated through stool examination and managed with evidence-based medications under medical supervision."
Dr. K Chandrakant, Consultant, Gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru further added, "Garlic contains bioactive compounds like allicin that have shown antiparasitic activity in laboratory and animal studies, particularly against certain protozoa like Entamoeba and Giardia under controlled conditions. However, these effects don’t reliably translate into a clinically proven cure in humans. There is no high-quality evidence demonstrating that consuming garlic, milk, or a garlic-milk mixture will reliably eliminate intestinal parasites in people. Claims circulating on social media often overgeneralise early experimental findings or animal research. Actual parasitic infections in humans require diagnosis and standard antiparasitic medication, tailored to the specific organism involved. Natural foods like garlic may support overall gut health and have some immune-modulating effects, but they should never be used as a substitute for medical evaluation and proper treatment when parasitic infection is suspected."
Medical Dialogues Final Take
The claim that garlic and milk can eliminate intestinal parasites is false. Although both garlic and milk are nutritious and offer various health benefits, there is no scientific evidence or medical basis to support the belief that they can eliminate intestinal parasites.
Hence, the claim is FALSE.
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