Adding black garlic to certain dishes gives it a unique profile, but there are also some impressive health benefits to this special culinary ingredient.
What is Black Garlic?
Black garlic is a caramelized form of garlic, but it isn’t easy to produce. Recently growing in popularity in the west, this means of preparing garlic has been present in other countries for centuries. Black garlic is primarily made by exposing unpeeled garlic to extended periods of heat and humidity – sometimes up to 40 days! This causes some of the compounds in regular garlic to break down, particularly those that give garlic such a spicy taste. When these compounds break down over time, they provide the garlic with a more savory flavor, reminiscent of cooked meats or onions, but there is also a sweet element that appears when prepared properly.
This form of garlic has some nutritional differences from traditional garlic and is widely used in high-end cooking applications. Due to the difficulty in producing it and the subsequent cost, it isn’t the most common ingredient to find on a spice shelf, but it does provide a number of unique health benefits. People consume black garlic by itself, ground into a powder, infused in oil, added to vegetable dishes and when minced into sauces or glazes. The flavor of black garlic is highly muted, in comparison to white garlic, so a rather large amount is needed to make an impact in most dishes. The heating process also increases the concentration of allicin and also boosts S-allyl cysteine levels, which improves the bioavailability of allicin, the active ingredient in garlic.
Health Benefits of Black Garlic
The most notable health benefits of black garlic include its ability to protect against chronic disease, boost immunity, help to prevent cancer, regulate diabetes, and boost heart health, among others.
Anticancer Potential
Black garlic extract has shown anti-proliferative effects in research conducted by a couple of Chinese researchers. It shows that this extract is able to inhibit gastric cancer cell growth.
One more study shows that black garlic extracts have the potential to slow the growth of lung cancer cells. However, more accurate studies are required for determining the use of garlic in a cancer-preventive diet.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this website are based upon the views of Dr. Walker and his experience. This product is not intended as medical advice nor to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is likewise not to replace the advice of a qualified health care provider. The information provided herein is intended as a sharing of general knowledge only and is not intended to be, nor is it, medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. That being said, please consult your healthcare provider before using supplements or providing supplements to children under the age of 18. If you have or suspect you have, a specific medical condition or disease, please consult your healthcare provider.
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