The active compounds in garlic are allicin and its sulfur-containing compounds which are the source of many of garlic’s health-promoting benefits. Many studies support garlic’s use for healthy cardiac function and its ability to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Garlic has also been shown to help lower blood pressure by relaxing and dilating blood vessels, and improving blood flow throughout the body.
Garlic's numerous beneficial cardiovascular effects are due to not only its sulfur compounds, but also to its vitamin C, vitamin B6, selenium and manganese. It is the oxidized form of LDL that damages artery walls. Vitamin C and Selenium are powerful antioxidants that can prevent LDL from oxidation. Vitamin B6 can help lower levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine is a by-product of the body’s digestion of protein and can directly damage blood vessel walls. Manganese is a trace mineral that aids antioxidant activity.