Can garlic reduce blood sugar and cholesterol? Study sheds light

In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, a group of researchers in China conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of garlic on blood lipid and glucose levels in humans.

Chronic diseases like heart problems, breathing issues, cancer, and diabetes cause around 41 million deaths yearly. Glucose and fats are important for energy, but if they're not regulated well, they can cause problems like blocked arteries, diabetes, and fatty liver. Too much of certain fats in your blood, like cholesterol and triglycerides, can raise the risk of heart issues. Current treatments for these health problems mostly focus on relieving symptoms and can have side effects.

Garlic, rich in compounds like allicin, shows potential in regulating glucose and lipids. Further research is needed to understand its mechanisms, optimal dosage, and long-term effects.

The study searched four databases for articles up to February 2024, focusing on garlic's effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. Researchers followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and included randomized clinical trials lasting over two weeks with adults aged 18 or older and looked at outcomes like Hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, compared with a placebo group.

The results showed that garlic helped lower fasting blood sugar levels in eight studies. It also had a positive effect on HbA1c levels in three trials. Garlic was also linked to lower total cholesterol levels in 17 studies and higher HDL cholesterol levels in 19 studies. It significantly reduced LDL cholesterol levels in 18 studies. However, garlic didn't significantly impact on triglyceride levels in 16 studies.

The findings revealed that garlic significantly improved FBG, HbA1c, TC, LDL, and HDL levels but did not affect TG. Various forms of garlic, such as raw garlic, aged garlic extract, and garlic powder tablets, were effective.

Reference: Zhao X, Cheng T, Xia H, Yang Y, Wang S. Effects of Garlic on Glucose Parameters and Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients (2024), DOI- 10.3390/nu16111692, https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/11/1692