5 Wonders of Black Garlic for Health, More Powerful than Raw Garlic!

Kapanlagi.com - Black garlic may sound unfamiliar, but its presence in the culinary and health world is increasingly gaining attention. This garlic is actually raw garlic that has undergone a storage process at controlled temperatures and humidity for several weeks.

This process transforms the cloves of garlic into a brown color, ultimately turning them black due to an amazing Maillard reaction. Not only does it present a unique black color, but black garlic also has a milder taste and a sticky consistency compared to raw garlic.

However, what's even more interesting is that black garlic holds a number of health benefits that may be greater than those of regular garlic. Here are five amazing benefits of black garlic summarized by Kapanlagi from Healthline, Monday, April 21, 2025.

1. Rich in Antioxidants

The aging process makes black garlic contain more antioxidants compared to raw garlic. This is because the allicin compound that gives garlic its distinctive aroma when crushed transforms into antioxidant compounds such as alkaloids and flavonoids.

Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting the body's cells from oxidative damage that can trigger various diseases. A 2014 study showed that the antioxidant activity in black garlic increased dramatically during the aging process, even peaking on the 21st day!

2. Protecting Brain Health

Black garlic turns out to be not just a flavorful kitchen ingredient, but also has amazing potential in maintaining brain health and fighting cancer.

Research shows that black garlic can reduce inflammation in the brain that may disrupt memory and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

In experiments on mice, black garlic was proven to reduce inflammation caused by beta-amyloid and even enhance short-term memory.

3. Helping to Protect the Liver

Black garlic, the superfood rich in benefits, is capable of protecting the liver from various threats such as chemicals, medications, alcohol, and germs that constantly lurk.

Research on rats shows that black garlic can provide protection when the liver is injured, preventing further damage to this vital organ.

In fact, in cases of chronic liver damage due to alcohol, black garlic has demonstrated its ability to improve liver function thanks to its strong antioxidant properties.

Unlike raw garlic, which can increase the risk of bleeding if consumed excessively, black garlic appears to be safer with no significant side effects.

However, for those of you taking blood-thinning medications, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before adding black garlic to your daily menu to ensure its safety.

4. Helping to Regulate Blood Sugar

For diabetes sufferers, maintaining blood sugar levels is very important. High blood sugar can increase the risk of serious complications, such as kidney damage and heart disease.

A 2019 study on rats consuming a high-fat and high-sugar diet showed that black garlic extract can enhance metabolism, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and help regulate appetite.

5. Powerful Antioxidants and Anti-Cancer Agents

Not only that, black garlic extract also shows stronger antioxidant and anti-cancer activity compared to raw garlic in laboratory studies.

Although the results of human studies are still varied, scientists agree that the potential of black garlic in fighting cancer cells and improving the quality of life for cancer patients deserves further research.

(kpl/rao)