Garlic is an herb often used to flavor foods. Many people also take garlic as an herbal medicine to treat a variety of health conditions, including high blood pressure and heart disease. Garlic is classified as Generally Recognized as Safe, or GRAS, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but may cause mild side effects in certain individuals, including heartburn. Like any health supplement, ask your doctor before taking garlic supplements as an herbal medication.
Heartburn
A common complaint resulting from garlic consumption is heartburn. The severity of heartburn is often greater after eating fresh, raw garlic, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Taking garlic in the form of supplements may decrease the risk of heartburn, and taking the supplements right after a meal might reduce the risk further.
Other Gastrointestinal Effects
Several other gastrointestinal side effects may result from garlic, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Bloating, abdominal pain and excess flatulence are also possible. Certain people may also experience a burning sensation in the mouth or stomach as well as bad breath. The risk of these other gastrointestinal side effects is also higher after eating fresh, raw garlic compared to cooked garlic or garlic supplements, explains MedlinePlus.
Additional Side Effects
Many people report a strong body odor after consuming large amounts of garlic. In certain individuals, garlic can induce an allergic reaction, resulting in asthma and difficulty breathing. Handling raw garlic or applying garlic supplements to the skin can cause stinging, burning or a rash, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. In rare cases, garlic supplements can cause headache, dizziness, appetite loss or fatigue.
Drug Interactions
One of the most potentially serious side effects of garlic is a blood-thinning effect than can increase the risk of excess bleeding, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Avoid eating lots of garlic or taking garlic supplements before undergoing surgery. Additionally, do not consume large amounts of garlic or garlic supplements while also taking blood-thinning medications like warfarin. The combined blood thinning effects of garlic and warfarin can greatly increase the risk of severe bleeding.
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