Garlic can fight lung infections

A chemical found in garlic called Allicin is effective in fighting infectious bacteria.

According to a new study published in the journal PLOS One, using garlic as a spice for dishes can protect the lungs against infections.

A chemical found in garlic called Allicin is effective in fighting infectious bacteria. Allicin is an antibiotic extract, against Burkholderia cepacia (BCC). BCC is a bacterium that leads to serious and contagious lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis.

Allicin in garlic is effective in fighting infectious bacteria

Professor John Govan of the University of Edinburgh in England said Allicin could kill BCC bacteria by chemically modifying important enzymes.

Allicin is a natural substance in garlic that works against pathogens. BCC bacteria are the cause of lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis, Allicin has been shown to inhibit the growth of BCC bacteria.

The researchers also hope that allicin-containing drugs and antibiotics may be used together to treat BCC infection.