Health and alliums.

Abstract

Many health benefits have been reported for different Allium species. Allium sativum and A. cepa have been the most intensively investigated. Extracts from both species exhibited a significant antibiotic activity. Antiasthmatic, antidiabetic and a weak antiplatelet activity were proven for A. cepa, while A. sativum showed lipid-lowering effects, antiplatelet activity and antiatherosclerotic activities. The cardiovascular effects of garlic are among the best investigated of all medicinal plants. To obtain the therapeutic effects described above, a daily intake of 50-100 g of A. cepa and 2.5-4 g of A. sativum or an adequate amount of an Allium preparation is recommended. As demonstrated by some case-controlled studies a regular daily intake of both may prevent some cancer diseases, even at lower doses. Allium vegetables seem to lower risk for gastrointestinal cancers. It is suggested that daily intake of A. sativum significantly lowers the incidence of diseases that are caused by atherosclerosis.