Friday, September 4th 2026
Many use it for blood pressure, cholesterol and “cleaning” blood vessels, but science sets some important limits
Olive oil and garlic have an important place in healthy nutrition and scientific studies link them with some beneficial effects for cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, experts warn that claims that this combination “cleans blood vessels”, treats hypertension or can replace therapy should be taken with a lot of caution.
Healthy combination, but not “natural medicine”
Olive oil with garlic has been part of Mediterranean cuisine for a long time. In recent years, however, it is often presented as a natural preparation for lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, strengthening immunity and preventing diseases.
Some of these claims have scientific basis when olive oil and garlic are studied separately. But this does not mean that their combination has a proven medicinal effect or that it works more powerfully when used together.
What does extra virgin olive oil offer?
Extra virgin olive oil is rich in oleic acid, a healthy polyunsaturated fat, and also contains polyphenols and other biologically active compounds.
Its benefit does not lie simply in adding a spoonful of olive oil to food, but also what we replace with it. When used in place of saturated fat, it can be part of a more heart- and blood vessel-friendly dietary pattern.
The large PREDIMED study showed that a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil was associated with fewer major cardiovascular events in people at increased risk. However, this does not mean that only olive oil prevents heart attacks, Telegrafi reports.
When garlic is cut or pressed, bioactive compounds are created, among which the best known is allicin. These compounds have been studied for their effect on blood pressure, blood fats, oxidative stress and inflammation.
Analysis of clinical studies shows that garlic may have modest effects on some cardiovascular risk factors.
In some people, a slight decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure has been observed, especially when the initial values were high. However, garlic is not a substitute for antihypertensive therapy.
Some studies link garlic to a moderate decrease in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides.
But this does not mean that garlic “cleans the arteries”. Atherosclerotic plaque is the result of a complex and long-term process and cannot be “melted” by a single food.
There is not enough scientific evidence that dipping garlic in olive oil creates a combination with a significantly more powerful health effect.
It is more reasonable to see this combination as part of the Mediterranean diet. Olive oil provides polyunsaturated fats and polyphenols, while garlic contains bioactive compounds and gives flavor to food.
Some studies suggest that garlic and a diet rich in olive oil can positively affect several metabolic parameters, including glucose and insulin sensitivity.
But it is not correct to say that olive oil with garlic “lowers sugar”. Diabetes is affected by nutrition as a whole, body weight, physical activity and therapy prescribed by the doctor.
Live garlic can cause heartburn, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea or other gastrointestinal disturbances in some people.
Even olive oil should be used sparingly, because it is a high-calorie food. Its benefits do not mean that it should be drunk on an empty stomach or consumed in large quantities.
The most important warning: garlic in oil
The oil prepared at home with fresh garlic requires special care.
Garlic has low acidity and, when it stays in oil, an environment with little oxygen is created. In unsuitable conditions, the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which produces the botulinum toxin, can develop.
For this reason, fresh garlic oil should not be left for weeks at room temperature. It should be prepared and stored according to safe recommendations or industrially produced flavored oil should be used.
Garlic olive oil can be part of a healthy diet, but it is not a medicine and cannot replace treatment for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Source: prizrenpost
