More research needed to determine benefits of garlic
Professor Peter Howe is the University's Director of the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre and he addressed the Australian Garlic Industry Association annual growers' seminar over the weekend.
Professor Howe says while garlic is believed to assist with a wide range of health issues, more evidence based research is needed.
"Cardiovascular benefits, helping to control blood pressure, cholesterol, prevent coronary heart disease, through to potential prevention of cancer , particularly cancer of the gastro intestinal tract, colon cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer, to be able to treat fever, coughs and to potentially ward off the common cold," he said.
Professor Howe says while some research has been done in Australia, there's a lot more to be done.
"When you are looking at something that has potentially such a wide range of benefits it's very hard then to establish the evidence across the board for all those potential health indications," he said.
"Hopefully there will be the opportunity to do more research.
"There has been some good research done in Australia but it is still very much in its infancy."
Source: www.abc.net.au