Consuming Garlic When Breastfeeding: Benefits And Ways To Include Them

Image: iStock

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 lactogenicⁱA property of inducing or triggering the production of breast milk effects. But is garlic safe for lactating mothers?

Does its ingestion help increase breast milk supply or affect breast milk composition and milk quality? 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?

Image: IStock

New mothers generally seek natural ways to enhance milk production, and garlic is often considered a galactagogue in various cultures. 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).

• Additionally, it is important to consider garlic’s safety when consuming it. For instance, garlic should be one of the foods to avoid while breastfeeding if you are on certain medications, such as anticoagulantsⁱA substance or drug that prevents the clotting of blood and reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes , 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 and milk volume (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).

Nutritional Value Of Garlic For Breastfeeding Moms

Garlic is a flavorful addition to meals and a nutrient-dense food that provides essential vitamins and minerals critical for breastfeeding mothers. A 100g of garlic contains about 28.2g of carbohydrates, 6.62g of protein, 2.7g of fiber, 10mg of vitamin C, and 9.8µg of selenium. These nutrients can help support your overall health and aid recovery post-birth (19).

What Are The Possible Health Benefits Of Garlic For Nursing Moms?

In terms of garlic’s benefits, research has suggested that garlic may have positive effects on maternal nutrition. 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 polysaccharidesⁱLong chains of naturally found carbohydrates that store energy, send cellular messages, and act as structural components of cells (6) that exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects (7) in the long run.

1. Might help in weight loss: Some studies show that consuming garlic in its fermented form might help in weight loss. When made a part of a well-balanced diet, garlic could inhibit lipogenesis and regulate lipid metabolism (6).
   

   Image: IStock

2. Maintain a healthy gut: Garlic might support gut health through its prebioticⁱCompounds that improve overall health by acting as food for the good bacteria present in the human gut and antibacterial properties. The prebiotic effect of garlic is attributed to the presence of fructans, a non-digestible polysaccharide, while the antibacterial properties are attributed to the presence of organosulfur compoundsⁱOrganic compounds containing sulfur that impart strong odors to certain foods, including garlic such as allicin (8).

3. Anti-cholesterol effect: Consuming garlic for cholesterol management has been shown to be beneficial. Scientific evidence suggests that consuming approximately half to one clove of garlic per day resulted in an average reduction of around 9% in total serum cholesterol levels among the studied patient groups (9). Additionally, supplementing with Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) in animal diets showed a similar effect, reducing plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and triacylglycerol by 15% and 30%, respectively. Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, scientific observations suggest that certain compounds in garlic, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, may inhibit cholesterol synthesis (10).

4. Heart health: In addition to being anti-atherosclerotic, garlic may also protect from other heart-related issues such as myocardial infarction. Animal studies have shown that garlic has the potential to protect the heart from oxidative damage (11). Hence, consuming garlic for heart health may also be beneficial.

5. May enhance immunity: Fructans have the potential to boost the probiotic effect in the gut, thus, in turn, causing positive immunomodulatoryⁱSubstances that regulate immune system functions to combat diseases and infections. effects (12).

6. Anti-inflammatory effect: Inflammation associated with breastfeeding can lead to conditions such as sore nipples and mastitisⁱInfection in the breast tissues usually caused by bacteria or blocked milk ducts leading to pain and inflammation while breastfeeding . Anecdotal evidence suggests that garlic has potential anti-inflammatory properties that may provide some relief from the condition.

7. Useful antimicrobial properties: Thrush, a fungal or yeast infection, is common in nursing babies and mothers. Oral thrush in babies can cause irritation in the mouth and throat, making it difficult to breastfeed. In traditional medicine, raw garlic is used to help lactating mothers prevent or reduce the yeast infection, reduce the irritation, lower the nipple pain, and help the baby breastfeed comfortably.

8. Antioxidant effect: Garlic and its extracts have antioxidant properties that may be helpful in combating free radical damage and provide protection against several diseases (13).

Image: IStock

Things to know

Garlic’s antioxidant properties are mainly attributed to compounds, such as allyl disulfide, alliin, allyl cysteine, and allicin (13).

9. Potential anti-diabetic effect: Animal-based research studies show that garlic extract is effective in maintaining blood sugar by reducing insulin resistance. It is mainly attributed to the presence of volatile sulfur compounds, such as alliin, allicin, allyl methyl sulfide, etc. (3). However, more research is needed to affirm this in humans.

10. Cardioprotective effects: Both animal and human studies show that raw garlic consumption lowers blood pressure and thus has potent cardioprotective effects due to the presence of allicin (or diallyl thiosulfinate) (14).

Garlic is also traditionally used for the treatment of arthritisⁱAn inflammatory condition characterized by swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints , toothache, chronic cough, constipation, and infectious diseases (as an antibiotic) (3). 

What Are The Side Effects Of Garlic When Breastfeeding?

Garlic consumption during maternity, in general, is safe. However, some side effects of garlic that may occur in specific conditions are given below (15).

1. Colic: Garlic in excess is to induce gas. Thus, its maternal consumption is often associated with colicⁱPeriodic and predictable crying episodes in infants for an extended period with no definitive cause in the baby. Though there are not many clinical studies, it is observed that some babies become fussy and irritable when their mothers eat garlic.
   

   Image: IStock

2. Drug interaction: A nursing mother on blood thinners must consult a doctor before consuming garlic since it has anti-platelet effects. In some cases, this may lead to bleeding and other related complications (16).

3. Gastrointestinal issues: Some studies revealed that eating garlic in excess may lead to issues such as acidity, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, body odor, diarrhea, and gas formation. A very high intake of garlic might lead to liver damage, as well (17).

The moderate use of garlic in your breastfeeding diet may mitigate the above-mentioned garlic’s side effects.

Research finds

Studies suggest garlic may cause allergic reactions, such as allergic contact dermatitis, generalized urticaria, anaphylaxis, and photoallergy in sensitive individuals (15).

How To Include Garlic In Your Breastfeeding Diet?

Image: Shutterstock

Garlic bulbs are versatile and can be used fresh, as essential garlic oil, macerated garlic oil, garlic powder, and aged garlic extract.

1. A breastfeeding mother can add fresh garlic cloves (crushed) to savory rice recipes, or you can add them to soups. If you are using fresh, raw garlic, then use them crushed as it will release the bioactive compounds.
2. You can also use garlic powder in salads and grilled dishes like tofu and chicken.
3. Grated garlic mixed in olive oil can be an excellent low-calorie sandwich base.
4. Garlic paste can be used to prepare a sauce.
5. Fermented garlic is also an option to try. It will not only enhance food flavors but also provide health benefits.

Garlic Recipes For Breastfeeding Mothers

Here are some simple recipes to incorporate garlic into your diet and reap its benefits.

1. Garlic and Spinach Pasta

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

• 6oz uncooked spaghetti
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 10 cloves garlic
• 2tsp oregano, dried
• 1tsp basil, dried
• 10oz fresh spinach, stems removed
• 1tsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2tsp grated parmesan

How to:

1. Add the spaghetti to a saucepan along with some water, salt, and a spoon of oil. Cook until al-dente, then drain.
2. Add two spoons of oil, garlic, oregano, and basil to a pan and cook at medium heat.
3. Saute the herbs for a minute, add the spinach, and cook it down.
4. Once done, remove the pan. Add the balsamic vinegar and cooked spaghetti and toss the contents until well-mixed.
5. Serve warm with a drizzle of olive oil and some grated parmesan on top.

2. Garlic Roasted Vegetables

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

• ½ large red onion, sliced
• 1½ large carrots, chopped
• 1 crowns broccoli, chopped into florets
• 1 medium-sized yellow squash, chopped
• ½ zucchini squash, chopped
• ½ red bell pepper, julienned
• 6tbsp avocado oil
• ½tbsp dried herbs
• ¼tsp garlic powder
• ½tsp sea salt
• 2 large fresh garlic cloves, finely minced

How to:

1. Preheat your oven to 425℉.
2. In a large bowl, mix four tablespoons of oil, dried herbs, garlic powder, and sea salt. Once combined, add the chopped vegetables to the mixture and toss until they are well-coated.
3. In a baking tray lined with a baking sheet, spread half the vegetable mixture in a single layer and place it in the oven for 20 minutes.
4. Once done, take the tray out of the oven and remove the charred broccoli.
5. Then, mix the minced garlic with two tablespoons of oil and pour half of this mixture over the vegetables, coating them well.
6. Bake the vegetables again for about ten minutes.
7. Once done, mix the broccoli with the vegetables and serve it in a bowl with a dip of your choice.

3. Garlic Soup

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

• 7 cups low-salt vegetable or chicken broth
• 2tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, roughly chopped
• 15 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• ½tsp salt
• ½tsp coarse black pepper
• 6 slices of any bread, chopped into ½-inch cubes
• 1 green onion, roughly chopped
• ⅓ cup sour cream

How to:

1. In an oven, heat the broth in a large microwavable bowl for seven minutes.
2. Place a large pot over medium heat and add some oil and chopped onion.
3. Once the onion softens, add the chopped garlic and stir for a minute.
4. Add some salt, pepper, and the heated broth, cover it with a lid, and allow it to cook over high heat.
5. Once the soup simmers, add the bread, stir, and cover again.
6. Allow the bread to soak and the soup to simmer. Once done, blend the soup until it turns smooth.
7. Serve the soup in bowls topped with sour cream, chopped green onions, and some seasoning as desired.

Infographic: Tips To Have Garlic While Breastfeeding

Garlic is a vegetable that can add flavor to a bland dish and make it all the more nutritious. So you may have garlic in moderation while taking the necessary precautions to prevent possible side effects. Here are a few ways to add the veggie to your nursing diet.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Is It Safe To Eat Garlic While Breastfeeding?

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Charmaine DominguezRD

Charmaine Dominguez is a plant-based online dietitian nutritionist with seven years of experience. She has her own online nutrition practice. Charmaine is currently living in LA, California in the US, and pursuing Masters of Public Health at California State University, Long Beach.

Read full bio of Charmaine Dominguez

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

Read full bio of Rohit Garoo

Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech

Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University.

Read full bio of Shinta Liz Sunny