Garlic (Allium sativum) is a common kitchen ingredient known worldwide for its peculiar aroma and pungent taste. Besides adding flavor to food, it possesses certain medicinal properties that benefit health. Several mothers consume garlic when breastfeeding to reap its lactogenic effects. But is garlic safe for lactating mothers? Does its ingestion help increase breast milk supply? We answer all your queries and tell you more about the possible health benefits of garlic for nursing mothers, its side effects, and ways to include garlic in your breastfeeding diet.
Is Garlic Safe For Lactating Mothers?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized garlic as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) during lactation (1). Therefore, you can use garlic in your diet regularly in moderate amounts.
However, stay cautious if your baby is known to be allergic to other edible plants from the Allium genus, such as onions, shallots, leeks, and chives (2).
Also, you should avoid garlic if you are on certain medications, such as anticoagulants, and in case you experience symptoms of food intolerance after garlic ingestion.
If you are planning to use garlic supplements or garlic pills that contain raw garlic or garlic extracts for any therapeutic purpose, then seek advice from your healthcare provider before using them because supplements may not have sufficient clinical trials to test their safety and efficacy (3).
Does Garlic Help Increase Breast Milk?
The use of garlic as a galactagogue is prevalent across cultures. However, there are no targeted research studies to support (1). Some studies show that garlic can change the taste and odor of breast milk. Babies, who like the taste, may have an increased breastfeeding time and thus might eventually have a positive impact on breast milk production (4). However, if the baby does not like the taste and odor of the milk on the day when you consumed garlic, they might refuse to feed (5).
What Are The Possible Health Benefits Of Garlic For Nursing Moms?
The use of garlic for therapeutic and medicinal purposes is well-documented in alternative medicine. Benefits are usually attributed to the presence of diverse bioactive compounds such as organic sulfides, saponins, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides (6) that exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects (7) in the long run. Garlic is also traditionally used for the treatment of arthritis, toothache, chronic cough, constipation, and infectious diseases (as an antibiotic) (3).
What Are The Side Effects Of Garlic When Breastfeeding?
The maternal consumption of garlic, in general, is safe. However, some side effects may occur in specific conditions (12). The moderate use of garlic in your breastfeeding diet may mitigate the adverse effects.
How To Include Garlic In Your Breastfeeding Diet?
Garlic bulbs are versatile and can be used fresh, as essential garlic oil, macerated garlic oil, garlic powder, and aged garlic extract.
