Tag: Garlic health risks

According to ancient texts from various cultures, garlic has been valued for both culinary and medicinal purposes for thousands of years. But is eating raw garlic ok for you, and does it retain its potency? The answer depends on your body's tolerance and your health goals, as the raw form is more potent but can also cause side effects.

While celebrated for its robust flavor and numerous health benefits, moderation is key when it comes to garlic. A World Health Organization report suggests that consuming 1 to 2 cloves of garlic a day is generally sufficient to reap its benefits without experiencing excessive side effects.

While a daily intake of 1–2 cloves is considered safe for most adults, consuming an excessive amount of raw garlic can indeed make you sick, causing unpleasant side effects like digestive upset and bad breath. This is due to its potent compounds, which can overwhelm the body when ingested in large quantities.

According to studies, consuming 1–2 cloves of garlic per day can have health benefits, but eating a large amount of garlic may cause a range of unpleasant side effects, including digestive problems and an increased risk of bleeding. While a staple in many cuisines, the pungent compound allicin can become problematic in high concentrations.

While garlic is prized for its flavour and medicinal properties, with studies suggesting that consuming 1–2 cloves daily offers health benefits, eating too much can lead to unpleasant side effects. The key question is whether consuming large quantities of this potent ingredient, especially in raw form, could actually be harmful.