Garlic

Winners Explained

 

 

 

SC Quality Benchmark for Garlic Products   Garlic shows reasonable evidence of effect in lowering cholesterol, and blood lipid levels and producing a thinning effect of the blood. It has also been used throughout history as an anti-infective due to its antimicrobial properties.   Studies indicate that the above effects are obtained with dosages equivalent to approximately 4g of fresh garlic (about 2 cloves) per day. As such this is the target benchmark used for garlic products. Some garlic supplements use dried extract and some use garlic oil as the active ingredient. Most products do indicate an equivalent fresh garlic level on the pack.   Finally, there is a consensus in the opinion of the SC Expert Panel that more evidence is available for products which deliver the active allicin in the product and this is acknowledged in the assessment.

 

Quality

 

The quality of the garlic products assessed was very variable. No product reached the target SC Quality Benchmark daily dosage under their recommended use, but some, notably products from Boots, Healthspan and Kwai, and Hofels (Garlic One-A- Day) and Cardiomax delivered the equivalent of between 1-4.5g of fresh garlic. Other products delivered significantly less than this level.

 

Value

 

The value of this category is based upon the cost which is equivalent to 1 gram of fresh whole garlic. On this basis the value range for the products reviewed was between £0.02 and £0.60. This is a 30 fold difference.