How did ordinary garlic become the anti-cancer "warrior" among condiments?

Audit expert: Wang Guoyi

Postdoctoral fellow in Nutrition and Food Safety, China Agricultural University

Garlic has long been an indispensable condiment on our daily dining tables. Its unique aroma and flavor often whet our appetites. However, in recent years, more and more studies have shown that garlic is not only a delicious condiment, but may also have anti-cancer secrets . Let's explore in depth "Can eating garlic really prevent gastric cancer? What is the magical existence of allicin?"

The anti-cancer “warrior” among condiments

Allicin, whose scientific name is diallyl thiosulfinate, is a class of active ingredients in garlic, including various sulfides, sulfur compounds and sulfides (diallyl monosulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide and diallyl tetrasulfide). It is these ingredients that give garlic that unique spicy taste.

Source | hippopx

Alliin, produced by squeezing garlic bulbs, can be converted into active allicin by the action of alliinase. Although garlic has been widely used as a condiment for centuries, it was not until 1944 when Cavallito and Bailey isolated allicin from garlic that people first understood how garlic contributes to our health.

Allicin has many biological functions such as promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, clearing away heat and detoxifying, killing bacteria and inhibiting fungi . This powerful biological activity not only gives garlic antibacterial and antioxidant properties, but can even prevent cancer.

Let us now take a closer look at how allicin works in vivo.

Anti-cancer mechanism of allicin

You may be curious about how allicin works to fight cancer. It turns out that allicin has a variety of anti-cancer mechanisms, each of which is a line of defense, and together they build an anti-cancer "castle."

First, allicin can cleverly block carcinogens from launching an attack.

It has a strong antioxidant capacity and can react with free thiol enzymes in vitro to capture free radicals and exert an antioxidant effect. Many carcinogens or carcinogens can induce the production of oxygen free radicals in cells and tissues, and oxygen free radicals can poison cells. Allicin exhibits antioxidant capacity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl free radicals. As the concentration of allicin increases, the free radical scavenging ability of hydroxyl free radicals also increases. Allicin protects hydroxyl free radicals through antioxidant effects and reduces the damage of carcinogens to cells . It is like a superb martial artist who dissolves the opponent's attack into nothingness.

Source | hippopx

Secondly, allicin is like a smart strategist, regulating the metabolic balance in the body.

It has an inhibitory immunomodulatory effect. It can regulate the immune function of peripheral leukocytes by stimulating the proliferation of immune cells, enhancing the activity of lysozyme, enhancing pro-inflammatory mediators, and promoting the expansion of CD4+T cells. In addition, allicin can also reduce inflammation by reducing the production of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin . Through such regulation, it can promote the rapid decomposition and elimination of carcinogens, leaving them no chance. This regulation is like a smart layout on the battlefield, leaving the enemy nowhere to escape.

Most importantly, allicin has the ability to kill tumor cells. Allicin exerts anti-tumor activity in a variety of tumors, including gastric cancer, breast cancer, glioblastoma, colon cancer, and liver cancer, by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis . It interferes with the process of DNA binding to carcinogens, prevents the formation of malignant DNA adducts , protects cells, and guards the health of the body.

Is it a hot anti-cancer agent or just "hype"?

However, can allicin really fight cancer like the legendary anti-cancer warrior? This question is not easy to answer. Although the results of laboratory research have shown the potential of allicin, more clinical research is needed to truly prove its value in the field of anti-cancer.

At present, in the breeding industry, allicin has become a substitute for antibiotics and an animal feed additive, and is widely used in aquaculture, animal husbandry, and disease prevention and control . Studies have found that allicin, as a natural antibacterial substance, is affordable and usually accumulates less in animals, leaving trace amounts, and has no side effects such as teratogenicity or mutagenicity. However, there is currently no reliable option on the market for allicin products suitable for human use.

Source | hippopx

Is it reasonable to get allicin by eating more garlic? This is also problematic. First of all, allicin needs alliin and enzymes to react and is not directly present in garlic. Although we can take some measures to promote the production of allicin, such as chopping the garlic as finely as possible and leaving it for 10-15 minutes to help alliin and enzymes fully contact and react, allicin is easily destroyed during the cooking process, so it is best to eat garlic raw to take in as much allicin as possible .

If you want to take in allicin, you need to take in a lot of garlic. However, it is difficult to eat a lot of garlic. Garlic itself has the property of stimulating the stomach and intestines. Excessive consumption is not good , especially for those with sensitive stomachs, it may cause adverse reactions such as heartburn and diarrhea.

Therefore, although allicin has magical effects, it is difficult to obtain enough allicin through normal consumption of garlic, so there is no need to pursue it excessively .

The final call: Diverse diet, healthy life

In general, eating garlic may add some confidence to our health, but it is not the only "remedy". Maintaining a diversified diet, consuming rich vegetables and appropriate amounts of fruits is also one of the effective ways to prevent cancer.

Allicin, as a "pearl", may play an important role in the battle against cancer. Let us wait and see, and look forward to scientists' in-depth research to reveal more secrets about allicin. In this journey of deliciousness and health, allicin may become our loyal partner and protect our health.