While many associate garlic with its pungent flavour and odour – and, perhaps, vampire lore – it’s been relied upon throughout civilisations for its wellness properties across millennia. From Ancient Egyptian records to traditional Chinese medicine and the writings of the ‘father of Western medicine’, Hippocrates, garlic has a storied history beyond the kitchen. Today, fascination hasn’t faded, and garlic has moved into supplement form, with odourless garlic capsules offering an accessible way to incorporate it into a daily routine, without the lingering breath.
Garlic gets its instantly recognisable kick from sulphur compounds, and it’s these substances that are behind its loved – and, at times, hated – aroma and its enduring scientific curiosity. When a garlic clove (Allium sativum) is crushed, chopped or grated, an enzyme reaction occurs. Here, a compound called alliin meets alliinase enzymes, forming allicin. This then breaks down into further bioactive sulphur compounds, including S-allyl cysteine and diallyl disulphide; all of which have garnered the attention of researchers through the years.
Long before modern exploration took hold, garlic was a go-to in ancient healing across numerous cultures, used as a remedy for a variety of conditions, including infections and digestive complaints. Modern studies on the versatile bulb, however, have focused on everything from heart health, blood pressure and cholesterol levels to immune function, and attention has even turned to the common cold. Ongoing scientific curiosity around areas like antioxidant activity has added to garlic’s profile over the years, and this growing body of interest is helping fuel the popularity of garlic supplements.
But the very compounds responsible for all that research interest are actually at the root of garlic’s most notorious quality: its distinctive odour. Although the aroma of garlic – whether slow-roasting in the oven or baked into a lasagne – is one thing, second-hand garlic breath after consumption is quite another. In some cases, the smell is enough to put people off it altogether, whether that’s skipping it the night ahead of a big client meeting, before a spin class or avoiding it on days when being in close contact with clients comes with the territory – for example, beauticians and personal trainers.
Who Might Consider Garlic Supplements?
Garlic supplements tend to appeal to those who want to incorporate it into their daily routine but don’t cook with it regularly. They’re a popular choice for people with busy lifestyles who prefer the simplicity of a one-a-day capsule.
For anyone looking to make garlic a part of their daily routine without the bad breath – or for others who simply don’t want to consume garlic every day – odourless garlic capsules offer a simple, convenient option.
What to Look for in a Supplement
If you’re considering a garlic supplement, it’s worth checking the allicin content; a good supplement should state it clearly. An odourless or deodorised formulation is worth seeking out if you want to avoid lingering aftereffects, and a simple one-a-day format makes it easy to fit into a daily routine.
Power Health’s odourless garlic capsules 1000mg cover all of the above. Specifically formulated to deliver garlic extract in capsule form, without the cooking, smell or aftermath, they’re made using a concentrated, deodorised garlic oil. Each capsule contains on average 700mcg of allicin and provides the equivalent of 1000mg of garlic cloves in a single daily capsule.
As with all food supplements, it’s recommended to consult with a health professional before adding new products to your regimen, particularly if you have any existing medical conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking other prescription and non-prescription medicines.
