Garlic

Shop Garlic Supplements at Holland & Barrett

Garlic, from the Allium family, is a close relative to onion, shallots, leeks, and chives, can be used for more than just seasoning food and making buttery, oven-toasted bread amazing. It is believed that the builders of the Egyptian pyramids were plied with garlic to keep their strength up.

But despite the bulb part of the plant being known for its medicinal uses, the name itself seems to come from the shallot-like top part of the plant, which is typically quite tight and pointy. “Gar” is the Anglo-Saxon for spear, and “lac” is for plant.

Is garlic good for you?

The short answer is yes. Garlic bulbs contain allicin, which is released when garlic is cut. Allicin helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Allicin can also help with nitric oxide release in the blood vessels, thereby relaxing them and helping to bring about a drop in blood pressure. That, long term, is good for supporting heart health.

What is black garlic?

Black garlic is aged garlic. Its dark colour can be attributed to a reaction called the Maillard reaction, when amino acids and sugars react, as you might see on seared steaks or toasted marshmallows. The whole bulbs are heated over several weeks, and the garlic ends up with a sweet and syrupy taste, with a hint of tang. It is also elastic and has a chewy texture.

The fermentation that garlic undergoes in this process alters its chemical characteristics and generally improves the concentration of bioactive compounds. In this form, the amount of antioxidants in the garlic doubles.

Odourless tablets

While you can incorporate garlic into your diet, some people do not appreciate the taste or smell, or may benefit from a way to ensure a regular daily dosage of a set amount. Many supplements are designed to be odourless.

At Holland & Barrett, we have Holland & Barrett Enteric Coated Odourless Garlic, a good option if you are looking for support without the taste of garlic. These capsules contain vitamin B1 to support heart health. You can take one capsule daily, ideally with meals.