What is garlic?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Garlic (Allium sativum) is a vegetable that can be consumed in raw or cooked form and is also available as a dietary supplement. It contains sulfur-containing phytochemicals, such as allicin and diallyl disulfide, which can influence cardiovascular health and inflammation.

    Garlic (Allium sativum) is a vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked. It is also sold as a dietary supplement. Garlic contains several sulfur-containing phytochemicals that are metabolized when eaten and can affect cardiovascular health and inflammation.[1] These chemicals include allicin, diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), and S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC).