Is Garlic Good for Cholesterol?

Partly: garlic may modestly lower cholesterol in some people with elevated levels, possibly by affecting how the liver makes cholesterol, but results are inconsistent.

Can garlic lower cholesterol?

Garlic can be part of a heart-healthy eating pattern, but it is not a dependable treatment for high cholesterol. Studies have mostly tested garlic preparations or supplements, so their findings do not establish that eating garlic or drinking garlic water will produce the same effect.

For a broader approach, see the best foods for high cholesterol. What matters most is your overall eating pattern and, when appropriate, treatment recommended by your clinician.

How might garlic affect cholesterol?

Garlic contains sulfur compounds that form when it is chopped or crushed. Researchers are studying whether these compounds influence processes involved in cholesterol production and the handling of blood lipids.

A review of cholesterol-lowering supplements describes several possible mechanisms for supplements, including effects on cholesterol synthesis and absorption. Those mechanisms do not prove that a particular amount of garlic will lower cholesterol in a particular person.

LDL cholesterol is often called “bad” cholesterol because high levels contribute to plaque buildup in arteries. Garlic has been studied for its potential effect on LDL, but there is no reliable way to predict an individual's response from the amount they eat.

What does the research show?

The evidence is mixed. A review discussing an earlier meta-analysis of randomized trials reported reductions in total and LDL cholesterol with garlic preparations in people with slightly elevated cholesterol. A systematic review of garlic and cardiovascular risk factors also found studies reporting favorable cholesterol results.

Those reviews cover different garlic preparations and study populations. They do not establish that ordinary food amounts have the same effects as the products tested in trials, or that garlic prevents heart attacks or strokes.

More recent trials illustrate the uncertainty. In a randomized trial comparing a statin, supplements and placebo, the garlic supplement did not significantly lower LDL cholesterol compared with placebo. The statin lowered LDL more than the supplements did.

In a separate randomized trial of an onion and garlic extract, participants receiving the combined extract had lower LDL and total cholesterol. Because the product contained both onion and garlic, the result cannot show how much of the effect, if any, came from garlic alone.

Together, these findings suggest a possible benefit from some preparations, not a guaranteed effect from every garlic product. They also do not establish an effective dose of garlic as food for lowering cholesterol.

How can you use garlic safely?

Use garlic as a flavoring if you enjoy it. It can add flavor to vegetables, beans, soups or whole-grain dishes without relying on a high-saturated-fat sauce or topping.

The benefit of such a swap comes from the overall change in the meal, not a proven cholesterol-lowering dose of garlic. Other established dietary approaches include choosing more foods with soluble fiber, such as oats and beans, and replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats where practical.

If you are considering garlic water, there is no established evidence that the infusion lowers cholesterol. For other beverage choices within a cholesterol-conscious eating pattern, see the best drinks for high cholesterol.

If you have high cholesterol, discuss your results and overall cardiovascular risk with a clinician. A blood lipid test, rather than how you feel, is needed to assess cholesterol levels and monitor changes over time.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Garlic in usual food amounts is generally suitable for most people, but raw garlic can cause heartburn, nausea or stomach discomfort. Avoid it if you have a garlic allergy. Supplements can contain concentrated preparations and may have different risks from garlic used in cooking.

Talk to a clinician before taking a garlic supplement if you use blood thinners or antiplatelet medicines, such as warfarin, clopidogrel or aspirin, because garlic supplements may increase bleeding risk. Tell your surgical or dental team about any garlic supplement before a procedure. Do not stop prescribed medicine unless your clinician directs you to do so.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your clinician before using garlic supplements; consult a pediatrician before giving them to a child. Food amounts are different from medicinal or concentrated preparations.

Arrange medical assessment if you have been told your cholesterol is very high or familial high cholesterol is suspected. Diet alone may not be enough, and a clinician can discuss whether medication and additional evaluation are appropriate.

High cholesterol usually causes no symptoms. Call emergency services for possible heart attack or stroke signs, such as chest pressure with shortness of breath, or sudden facial drooping, arm weakness or trouble speaking; do not wait to see whether garlic helps.