Eating Garlic During Breastfeeding – Benefits and Side Effects

Garlic has an important place in Indian cuisine. Its pungent smell and sharp flavour make any dish appetising. But many people don’t like it as its taste and smell remain in the mouth even after brushing their teeth. However, it is recommended that you add garlic to your diet due to its wide range of medicinal value. In fact, several ancient Biblical and historical texts from India, Rome, Egypt, Greece, and China have referred to garlic for medical applications. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can also benefit from garlic if it is consumed in moderation. In the recent years, garlic recipes have taken over the social media. However, there is a curve when it comes to consuming garlic when breastfeeding. Read this article to learn about the benefits and side effects of eating garlic during breastfeeding and garlic recipes.

Can You Eat Garlic While Breastfeeding?

Garlic is absolutely safe to eat during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It contains a chemical ‘alliin‘ which is enzymatically converted to ‘allicin‘, which is believed to be the chief reason behind the medicinal properties and the strong odour of garlic.

Health Benefits of Garlic for Nursing Mothers

Garlic contains a host of vitamins, minerals, and medicinal compounds that improve the functioning of the body. It also has a whole lot of other benefits as well. Here is why you should include garlic in your diet:

1. Good for the Heart

Garlic compounds are known to enhance the dilatory capacities of blood vessels, easing the circulation of blood throughout the body. Popular as a cardioprotectant, garlic has been used for centuries in Indian and Chinese medicine as a blood-thinning agent (1). This further reduces the strain on the heart and improves cardiovascular health as a whole.

2. Fights Infections

Garlic strengthens the immune system with its antifungal and antibiotic activities. Consuming garlic while nursing can protect you from dangerous infections caused by yeast and Candida, particularly Candida albicans infections (2) (3). A 2011 study published in the Federation of European Microbiological Societies even found that garlic could be used as an adjuvant line of treatment to fluconazole for the treatment of candidiasis, thanks to the efficacy of anticandidal effects of allicin. However, it should not be used as a topical medicine as it can result in skin burns (4).

3. Regulates Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

As garlic dilates blood vessels, blood pressure is reduced as well, which is helpful in the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension (5). Garlic also helps lower cholesterol levels, especially LDL cholesterol to an extent (1), thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

4. Promotes Better Digestion

Garlic is useful in digestive processes as well. It has been shown to stimulate digestion as well as calm down any irritation in the intestines. As per a 2023 study published in Cureus, garlic helps sustain healthy microbiomes in the gastrointestinal tract by getting rid of bad bacteria and keeping the good ones. It also helps your liver and colon work better, which helps your body get rid of toxins. Plus, garlic boosts your lymphatic system, helping your body remove waste more efficiently (2).

5. Stimulates Breast Milk Production

Garlic is known to increase breast milk production as it is a galactagogue (milk-boosting ingredient) (6), although the limited to no scientific data on its efficacy clouds the judgement on its use alone as a galactagogue (7). Further, the compounds in garlic enter the milk and strengthen the baby’s immune system as well. While garlic is an excellent galactagogue, what research does tell us is that consistently and efficiently emptying your breasts is the primary way to build and maintain milk supply. So, any galactagogue will work efficiently when the demand for and supply of breastfeeding are managed efficiently.

6. Treats the Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Garlic helps relieve the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition that makes you feel drained out and lethargic constantly.

7. Helps With Excess Weight

Garlic is an excellent anti-diabetic food that is known to help people balance their weight. A 2018 clinical trial involving 40 post-menopausal obese or overweight patients found relieved osteoarthritis in the patients when supplemented with garlic tablets, equivalent to 2.5 g fresh garlic daily (8) (9).

8. Promotes Good Gut Health

Garlic could be good for your gut because it contains substances that help your gut bacteria and fight harmful bacteria. The prebiotic effect, which means it helps good bacteria grow, comes from fructans, a type of carbohydrate that your body can’t digest. And the antibacterial effect, which means it fights off bad bacteria, comes from compounds like allicin (10).

9. Other Benefits

Garlic is also known to treat conditions like flu, asthma, and insomnia. It also has antioxidants that reduce the risks of ageing-related illnesses like dementia.

Side Effects of Eating Garlic While Breastfeeding

There are a few side effects of eating raw garlic while breastfeeding that you should watch out for.

1. Many people say that eating garlic while breastfeeding can make a baby gaseous, but there is no concrete proof for the same.
2. Some breastfeeding babies cannot bear the smell of garlic in breast milk and may become fussy or stop feeding.
3. Over-consumption of garlic can thin the blood, which can be dangerous if you are on anticoagulant medicines (11).
4. Garlic can cause allergic reactions in your baby (11). Hence, you must consume it in moderate amounts first; if you notice any signs of allergy in your baby, stop its consumption. Those who are allergic to garlic may also be allergic to onions, leeks, and other members of the lily family. Therefore, consult your doctor before consuming them.
5. If garlic is consumed in large amounts, it can irritate the sensitive lining of your baby’s intestines and cause heartburn and indigestion (12).

How to Use Garlic to Increase Breastmilk?

Simply add garlic to your diet in moderate amounts. Stick to one or two cloves of garlic per day. Garlic can also be used to flavour various dishes, like pasta, gravies, seafood, fried veggies, and so on. This will help with your lactation while you are in your breastfeeding period. The raw form of garlic is preferred. Overcooking or frying will kill all the garlic’s goodness.

Can You Take Garlic Supplements If You Are Nursing?

Consuming garlic in moderate amounts will not cause any harm to you or to your baby. However, garlic supplements are not really recommended as they are deodourised, which means the smell of the garlic is missing. Since babies respond to odour, taking garlic tablets while breastfeeding is also not recommended, as tablets cannot be used as a substitute for fresh garlic. Further, we can never be sure about the safety and efficacy of the dietary supplements available in the market. They may also contain certain ingredients which may not be safe for the baby or the mother. These substances may not be good for the health of your baby, hence it best to avoid taking garlic supplements. Before consuming any natural or medicinal supplements, it is best to do so under the guidance of a medical professional.

Can Garlic Cause Colic in Babies?

Not all babies can tolerate the smell and taste of garlic present in breast milk. They may become annoyed and fussy. If they suffer from colic, giving garlic is not a good idea at all, as it can exacerbate the condition. If you are consuming garlic while breastfeeding and notice any signs of colic in him, try to eliminate garlic entirely from your diet and wait for some time to observe if there is any difference.

Can Garlic Change the Taste of Your Breast Milk?

Yes, garlic contains pungent compounds which can enter your breast milk, changing its smell and taste.

Ways to Include Garlic in Your Breastfeeding Diet

Well, there are plenty of savoury ways to use garlic for breastfeeding diet. Here are some ideas you may find easy and practical to follow:

1. Crushed fresh garlic cloves can be stirred into savoury rice dishes or soups for added flavour.
2. Garlic powder can be sprinkled onto salads or used to season grilled dishes like tofu or chicken.
3. Mix grated garlic with olive oil for a flavourful, low-calorie sandwich spread.
4. Make a sauce using garlic paste.
5. Consider trying fermented garlic, like garlic pickle, for both flavour enhancement and potential health benefits.

Garlic Milk Recipe for Breastfeeding Mothers

Garlic milk is a great meal for breastfeeding mothers to increase lactation or milk production. The recipe below serves one person and takes around five minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

• A few cloves of white garlic
• Half a cup of milk

How to Prepare

• Peel the cloves of garlic, then cut them into small pieces.
• Add milk to a saucepan and turn on the stove.
• Let the garlic pieces boil in the milk for a few minutes.
• Stir until milk begins to thicken, then turn off the stove and allow it to cool.
• You can increase the amount of milk if you want to reduce the pungent flavour of garlic.

FAQs

1. Is it possible for babies to taste garlic in breast milk?

Yes, it is possible to detect the unfamiliar taste in the breast milk, which may or may not have positive effects on the latching. Based on a study published in Pediatrics, after eating raw garlic, it typically takes about 2 to 3 hours for its flavour to show up in breast milk. Babies seemed to notice these changes because they stayed on the breast longer and sucked more when the milk smelled like garlic. They also tended to drink more milk, but there wasn’t a big enough change to be sure. This might be because there’s only so much milk a baby can drink at once (13).

2. How long does the taste of garlic last in the breast milk?

The taste of garlic can remain in the breast milk for up to five hours after you eat it, with the strongest flavour happening about one to 3.5 hours after. But don’t worry, garlic won’t harm your baby, so it’s okay to breastfeed even if you’ve had garlic.

Garlic is widely consumed for its various healing properties. However, if you are a nursing mother, make sure that you only consume fresh or cooked garlic. Don’t consume garlic dietary supplements unless your doctor recommends them specifically. If supplements cannot be avoided, find those with an enteric coating so they dissolve in the intestine rather than the stomach. Finally, never give garlic to your baby directly, as his undeveloped digestive system won’t be able to handle the powerful compounds present in it.

References/Resources:

1. Khatua. T. N, Padiya. R, et al.; Garlic provides protection to mice heart against isoproterenol-induced oxidative damage: Role of nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide, Volume 27, Issue 1; ScienceDirect; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S108986031200047X; June 2012

2. Khounganian. R. M, Alwakeel. A, Albadah. A, et al.; The Antifungal Efficacy of Pure Garlic, Onion, and Lemon Extracts Against Candida albicans.; Cureus; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10241316/; May 2023

3. Ankri. S, Mirelman. D; Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic; Microbes Infect.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10594976/; February 1999

4. Khodavandi. A, Alizadeh. F, et al.; Comparison between efficacy of allicin and fluconazole against Candida albicans in vitro and in a systemic candidiasis mouse model; FEMS Microbiology Letters, Volume 315, Issue 2; Oxford Academic; https://academic.oup.com/femsle/article/315/2/87/818606; February 2011

5. Ried. K, Fakler. P; Potential of garlic (Allium sativum) in lowering high blood pressure: mechanisms of action and clinical relevance; Integr Blood Press Control.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4266250/; December 2014

6. Subburaj. S; A Traditional Indian Remedy for Lactation; Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities; https://breastfeedingcommunities.org/to-garlic-or-not/#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20garlic’s%20importance,along%20with%20their%20other%20properties.%E2%80%9D

7. Garlic; National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501782/

8. Shang. A, Cao. S. Y, et al.; Bioactive Compounds and Biological Functions of Garlic (Allium sativum L.); Foods.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678835/; July 2019

9. Dehghani. S, Alipoor. E, et al.; The effect of a garlic supplement on the pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, resistin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and on pain severity, in overweight or obese women with knee osteoarthritis; Phytomedicine.; PubMed Central; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30195882/; September 2018

10. Chen. K, Xie. K, et al.; Preventive Effects and Mechanisms of Garlic on Dyslipidemia and Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis; Nutrients.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6627858/; May 2019

11. Borrelli. F, Capasso. R, Izz.o A. A; Garlic (Allium sativum L.): adverse effects and drug interactions in humans; Mol Nutr Food Res.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17918162/; November 2007

12. Garlic; NIH; https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic

13. Mennella. J. A, Beauchamp. G. K; Maternal diet alters the sensory qualities of human milk and the nursling’s behavior; Pediatrics.; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1896276/; PubMed October 1991

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