Use Garlic for Taste, Not for Its Assumed Benefits

Garlic may lower cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar to a small extent, but not enough to be a substitute for medications.

Published: January 27, 2026

Screen Shot 2026-01-03 at 4.42.45 PM — © Digicomphoto/Science Photo Library | Getty Images Whether garlic can reduce several cardiovascular risk factors has not been proven, but you likely could not consume enough garlic or to make it worthwhile.

If the unmistakable aroma of garlic makes your mouth water, you are in good company. Garlic has been a beloved staple of many cuisines worldwide for centuries. Allicin and diallyl disulfide, the sulfur compounds that give garlic its signature odor, are said to provide many health benefits, including the ability to lower cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.