Black garlic is raw garlic that people have fermented under controlled conditions of high temperature and high humidity for several weeks.

In addition to having black cloves, black garlic has a milder flavor and a more delicate, sticky consistency than raw garlic.

Black garlic also offers a number of health benefits that may outweigh those of raw garlic, which has not been aged.

This article reviews 6 of the potential health benefits that black garlic may offer.

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4. Compounds in Black Garlic May Protect Brain Health

Black garlic may help prevent inflammation that can impair memory and worsen brain function over time.

Scientists suggest that the buildup of a protein compound called beta-amyloid causes inflammation in the brain that increases the risk of ().

A study in rats found that black garlic could reduce brain inflammation caused by beta-amyloid and even improve short-term memory ().

In another study, researchers induced oxidative stress in the brains of rats. Giving rats black garlic extract prevented this oxidative stress from causing memory problems ().

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Black garlic may contain compounds that help protect the brain against memory loss and degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's. However, scientists need to do more research into these potential effects in humans.

Potential disadvantages

Neither raw garlic nor black garlic seem to have any major side effects. However, raw garlic has some disadvantages that black garlic may share.

Eating raw garlic in large quantities can increase your risk of bleeding. For this reason, people taking blood thinning medications may also want to avoid black garlic in large quantities ().

That said, one study looked at the effects of aged garlic extract on blood clotting in people taking blood thinners and found that it posed no serious risks ().

Still, it is best to speak with a healthcare professional to determine if black garlic is safe and appropriate for you.

Additionally, people who experience an allergic reaction after consuming raw garlic should also avoid black garlic ().

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Avoid black garlic if you are allergic to raw garlic. You may also want to avoid it in large quantities if you are taking blood thinning medications. If you are concerned about taking black garlic, talk to your healthcare provider.

How to add it to your diet

Although you may be more familiar with raw garlic, black garlic can be a delicious addition to your diet.

Its sweet flavor and gelatinous consistency go well with some dishes.

Here are some ways to use black garlic:

• Add it with soy sauce to make a flavorful stir-fry.
• Use it to season soups.
• Mash it into cheese dip or cream cheese.
• Mix it with mayonnaise or hummus.
• Thinly slice the cloves and add them to salads or pasta dishes.
• Use them as a topping for pizza.
• Toss them with olive oil to make a simple vinaigrette.

You may also find that you enjoy eating black garlic on its own because it is milder than raw garlic.

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Black garlic has a milder, sweeter flavor than raw garlic. You can add it to pastas, soups or stir-fries; mix it in oils; or mix it into dips and sauces.

The bottom line

Black garlic is raw garlic that has been fermented under controlled conditions for several weeks. This changes its color and flavor.

This process also significantly increases the antioxidant activities of garlic. In fact, the antioxidants in black garlic are likely the reason for its potential benefits for the heart, liver, blood sugar, and brain, as well as its potential anti-cancer properties.

Black garlic does not appear to have any major side effects, but you should avoid it in large quantities if you take blood thinners or are allergic to garlic.