Garlic has been used for centuries by people all around the world as a folks remedy for many health conditions; including, anti-bacterial and antifungal cures, to lower blood pressure, and improve the cardiovascular system.

It appears that our ancestors were right on target. Today, there are scientific studies that support garlic's beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. A recent study conducted at  the University of Alabama at Birmingham shows that when the compounds in garlic interact with red blood cells, they boost the body's own production of a compound known as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) that relaxes the blood vessels and in doing so, it increases blood flow, and prevents the formation of blood clots, and oxidative damage.

In the study, rats were given a concentration of garlic equivalent to eating 2 cloves. The resulting H2S production caused up to a 72%  blood vessel relaxation in the rats' arteries which in turn, helped lower blood pressure. By relaxing the blood vessels, garlic can also be attributed to improve the functioning of the cardiovasculasr system. 

Another study conducted at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that when heart attack patients had H2S in their vascular system, it protected them from developing tissue and cell damage which is a common complication from heart attacks.

Research studies indicate that the polysulfide compounds in garlic is what causes the increase in H2S levels. H2S by itself is a flammable gas that has a rotten egg smell. The body produces H2S naturally, but it seems that the levels decrease as the body ages.

It is still not clear whether or not garlic supplements have the same efffect in H2S production as fresh garlic does. Up to now, many garlic supplements focused on the polysulphides in garlic of which allacin has been the one mostly used in supplements. However, these new studies suggest that allacin is only part of the big picture. It is the chemical messenger that is produced when these compounds are metabolized that is important.

Referring to the studies done at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, David Kraus, a physiologist in the Department Of Environmental Health Sciences  said: "This will help us standardize over the counter garlic supplements, and ensure they have the ingredients that produce the key compound".