Reduce Stress & Relax with Black Garlic Supplements

What Is Black Garlic?

Black garlic is a form of fermented garlic that has been used as a traditional medicinal plant in Asian countries for centuries and recently became popular in the United States.

Black garlic is obtained by fermentation of fresh garlic. It involves heating whole garlic bulbs at high heat (60–90°C or 140-194F) and humidity (70–90%) levels for several weeks. The fermentation process alters the color, flavor, and texture of the garlic, making its cloves black, sweet, soft, and chewy. The fermentation also modifies the chemical composition of the garlic, increasing the content of certain compounds that may have health benefits, such as antioxidant effect.

How Can Black Garlic Reduce Stress And Relax?

The problem of chronic stress affects millions of people around the world. It can manifest in many ways, including anxiety, irritability, depression, and insomnia. Black garlic is becoming increasingly popular as a natural remedy for managing stress. 

One of the compounds found in black garlic is S-allyl-cysteine (SAC), which has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These properties make SAC effective for reducing oxidative stress in the body. The latter can contribute to various health issues, including chronic inflammation, heart disease, liver disease, and cancer.

One study indicated the antidepressant-like effect of SAC. It is related to the capability of SAC to decrease oxidative stress in the part of the brain called the hippocampus.

The compound allicin is also present in black garlic. Allicin has been demonstrated to have anti-anxiety effects in animal studies. The study revealed that the allicin effect is caused by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin, which are known to regulate stress levels and overall mood.

Another study discovered the potential of black garlic to decrease the levels of stress-related hormones in the body, including cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone released in the body in response to stress. High cortisol levels have been linked to certain health problems, such as anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

While clinical research is needed to confirm the effects of black garlic on stress and relaxation in humans, several animal studies suggest that it may be an effective natural remedy for managing stress.

Are Black Garlic Supplements Safe To Take?

Black garlic and its supplements are generally considered safe. Nonetheless, it is recommended to talk with your doctor before integrating any supplement into your diet.

In such a way, people with digestive issues or diabetes, children, pregnant and nursing women should talk to their physicians before starting a black garlic supplement course. In addition, people with allergic reactions to garlic or other components of the supplements, individuals with low blood pressure, patients before or after surgery, or those who take blood-thinning medications need to avoid taking black garlic supplements altogether.

While black garlic is generally considered safe and has no known adverse effects, black garlic supplements may interact with certain medications. Therefore, people taking medications or those with underlying medical conditions should practice caution and consult with their physicians before starting black garlic supplements.

Conclusion

Black garlic offers various benefits, including cardioprotection, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, protection of the liver, neuroprotection, blood sugar level control, etc. Also, black garlic has the potential to reduce stress and promote relaxation. However, clinical research is needed to confirm black garlic’s effect on human stress levels. Therefore, it is essential to use black garlic under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner, especially if you are taking any medications or have a pre-existing medical condition.