A new study has found that consuming garlic could help reduce levels of blood sugar in people suffering from type 2 diabetes, as well as offering other benefits in the treatment of the metabolic condition. Although the research recommends using garlic for reducing blood sugar levels only under the guidance of your doctor, it could provide a range of benefits for diabetics in conjunction with their usual treatments of insulin and diet.

It is know that garlic contains more than 400 chemical components, many of which can help prevent and treat a diverse range of health problems, but it is compounds including allici, allyl propyl disulfide and S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide that raise insulin levels in the blood through the prevention of the liver’s inactivation of insulin, so that more insulin is available in the body.

The scientists found that moderate amounts of garlic supplements could offer benefits to diabetes patients, and that raw or cooked garlic or aged garlic extract can help to regulate blood glucose and potentially stop or lower the effects of some diabetes complications, as well as fighting infections, reducing bad cholesterol and aiding blood flow.

However, it is advised that the consumption of garlic could cause side effects for some people, or for those taking it in extreme amounts.