What Happens If I Put Garlic in Water? The Health Benefits and Uses

December 29, 2025 •

4 min read

Used for centuries as a folk remedy, garlic is a powerful natural ingredient known for its potent compounds. So, what happens if I put garlic in water? This simple act creates a beneficial infusion that releases allicin, offering a range of surprising health benefits for your body and providing a milder taste.

Quick Summary

When submerged, crushed garlic releases its active compounds, including allicin, into the water. This infusion offers a simple way to reap the immune-boosting, cardiovascular, and detoxifying benefits of garlic with a less intense flavor.

Key Points

Allicin Release: Crushing garlic activates an enzyme that creates allicin, a powerful health compound that infuses into the water.
Immune Boost: The antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties of garlic water help strengthen the immune system and fight off infections.
Heart Health Support: Regular consumption can help lower blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol, and improve circulation for better cardiovascular health.
Gentle Detoxification: Garlic water aids the body's natural detox process by stimulating liver enzymes that help flush out toxins.
Improved Digestion: As a prebiotic, garlic water promotes the growth of good gut bacteria, supporting a healthier digestive system.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory: Anti-inflammatory compounds in garlic can help reduce chronic inflammation and joint pain.
Mild Flavor: Soaking garlic in water creates a milder, less pungent flavor compared to consuming raw garlic, making it more palatable.

The Science Behind Garlic and Water Infusion

Garlic's health-boosting power comes from the compound allicin, which is created when the bulb is crushed, chopped, or sliced. The action of crushing the cloves activates an enzyme called alliinase, which then converts alliin into allicin. This chemical reaction is essential for maximizing the medicinal properties of garlic. When you put crushed or chopped garlic into water, this potent allicin is released into the liquid, creating an easily consumable tonic. The temperature of the water can influence this process; using warm water can speed up the infusion, while cold water requires a longer steeping time to achieve the desired effect. However, letting the crushed garlic sit for at least 10 minutes before adding it to any liquid is crucial for the allicin to fully form and stabilize.

Unveiling the Health Benefits of Garlic Water

Drinking garlic-infused water is a straightforward way to incorporate a powerful natural remedy into your daily routine. The resulting liquid offers a variety of health benefits that can positively impact your well-being.

Boosts Immune System Function

Garlic is renowned for its potent antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. By regularly consuming garlic water, you can strengthen your immune system and enhance your body's ability to fight off colds, the flu, and other infections. The allicin and other sulfur compounds are key players in this protective action.

Promotes Heart Health

Several studies suggest that garlic consumption can significantly support cardiovascular health. Garlic water has been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce levels of 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) while improving overall blood circulation. This helps prevent the buildup of plaque in arteries, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Supports Natural Detoxification

The antioxidants in garlic are instrumental in supporting your body's natural detoxification processes. Garlic stimulates liver enzymes, which help to flush out harmful toxins and heavy metals from the body. Starting your day with garlic water is often recommended to support the liver and promote a cleaner system.

Aids Digestive Health

Garlic water acts as a prebiotic, which encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut. This can lead to improved digestion and better nutrient absorption. It can also help alleviate common digestive complaints such as bloating and gas.

Reduces Inflammation and Pain

Garlic contains sulfur compounds that possess strong anti-inflammatory properties. Regular consumption of garlic water may help reduce inflammation throughout the body, providing relief from conditions like joint pain and swelling.

Supports Respiratory Wellness

For those suffering from coughs, colds, and congestion, garlic water can offer a natural form of relief. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help clear respiratory tracts and soothe a sore throat, speeding up the healing process.

A Simple Guide to Making Garlic Water

Making garlic water is incredibly simple and requires only a few ingredients. Follow these steps to prepare your own health tonic:

Choose Fresh Garlic: Start with fresh, firm garlic cloves. Avoid older or sprouted garlic, which may have reduced potency.
Prepare the Garlic: Take one or two peeled cloves of garlic. Crush or finely chop the cloves to release the active compound, allicin. Letting it rest for 10-15 minutes is recommended to maximize the allicin content before adding water.
Infuse in Water: Add the prepared garlic to a glass of lukewarm or room-temperature water. Using warm water can expedite the infusion process.
Optional Flavor Enhancers: To improve the taste, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a teaspoon of raw honey, or a slice of ginger.
Steep and Strain: Allow the garlic to steep for 15–20 minutes. You can strain the water if you prefer to remove the garlic pieces, or simply drink it as-is.
Best Time to Drink: Many people prefer to drink garlic water on an empty stomach in the morning to maximize its effects.

Comparison: Raw Garlic vs. Garlic Water


Feature	Raw Garlic (Chewed/Swallowed)	Garlic Water (Infused)
Flavor	Intense, pungent, and sharp.	Milder, more subtle garlic flavor.
Concentration	Higher concentration of active allicin compounds consumed directly.	Lower, diluted concentration, as the compounds are infused into the water.
Digestibility	Can be harsh on the stomach and cause discomfort, especially in large amounts.	Easier on the stomach for many people, making it more digestible.
Bioavailability	Good bioavailability, but may be irritating to the gut lining for some.	Good bioavailability of infused compounds, with less gastric distress.
Preparation	No preparation needed beyond peeling and chopping/crushing.	Requires steeping time to infuse the water. Can be enhanced with other ingredients.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

While consuming garlic water offers numerous benefits, it's not without potential downsides. Some individuals, especially those with sensitive stomachs, may experience mild digestive discomfort, heartburn, or bloating. It is best to start with a small amount and gradually increase your intake to see how your body reacts. Additionally, garlic possesses natural blood-thinning properties. If you are on blood-thinning medication or have a blood-clotting disorder, you should consult with your doctor before incorporating garlic water into your routine regularly.

Conclusion

Putting garlic in water is a simple yet effective way to harness the bulb's medicinal properties. From boosting the immune system and promoting heart health to aiding digestion and detoxification, the resulting infusion offers a wealth of potential health benefits. By following a simple preparation process, you can create a palatable tonic that provides a less intense alternative to eating raw garlic directly. As with any natural remedy, moderation is key, and it's always wise to consider any personal health conditions or medication before making it a daily habit.

Here is a recipe for a tasty and potent garlic and lemon detox drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people drink garlic water on an empty stomach in the morning to maximize its health benefits, though it can be consumed at other times as well.

Crushing or chopping the garlic is necessary to release the active compound allicin. Using whole, uncrushed cloves will not produce the same level of benefits as the key enzymes are not activated.

Yes, high heat can degrade allicin, the primary beneficial compound in garlic. It is best to use warm or room-temperature water for infusion to preserve the active compounds.

Homemade garlic water should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a couple of days to maintain freshness and potency. For safety, discard if it develops any off-smell or cloudiness.

Yes, many people add a squeeze of lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey, or a slice of ginger to improve the flavor profile. These additions can also provide their own complementary health benefits.

For most people, drinking garlic water daily in moderation is safe. However, individuals with sensitive stomachs or those on blood-thinning medication should consult a doctor first, and it's best to start with a small amount.

Some anecdotal evidence and studies suggest that garlic water may help with weight loss by boosting metabolism and promoting a feeling of fullness, but it should not be considered a miracle cure.

While not directly related to garlic water, this discoloration is a harmless chemical reaction. The sulfur compounds in garlic react with trace minerals in the water, a normal occurrence that doesn't affect safety.