Research synthesisHigh evidenceModerate effect5 studies · 5 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful
Across all 5 studies in the database, garlic supplementation consistently shows a beneficial effect on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with all 5 studies reporting significant findings. The predominant effect size is moderate, with meta-analyses reporting standardized mean differences (SMD) around -0.44 and weighted mean differences (WMD) of -0.44 mmol/L. The median study duration was 56 days (8 weeks), suggesting effects are typically observable within this timeframe. Most studies focused on clinical populations with metabolic disorders, dyslipidemia, or hypertension.
- Studied populations: adults with metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, or hypertension (clinical populations)
Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Many studies did not report specific doses or forms of garlic, making it difficult to determine the most effective preparation. The 2025 study reported effects on HDL rather than LDL specifically, and one older review (2021) only indirectly mentions garlic among other nutraceuticals. The evidence is predominantly from meta-analyses, which aggregate findings from diverse trials with varying quality.
Generated Jun 15, 2026