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@article{194116,
        author = {Dr PULIPATI SOWJANYA and Lingineni Bhavitha and Shaik Umul Vara Mahenoor and Kistam Drakshyani},
        title = {Garlic (Allium sativum) and Its Role in Modulating Gut Microbiota: A Comprehensive Review},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {10},
        pages = {2760-2769},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=194116},
        abstract = {Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is widely consumed as both a culinary ingredient and a medicinal plant due to its diverse bioactive compounds and therapeutic properties. Recent research highlights its role in modulating gut microbiota, which plays a critical role in human health and disease prevention. Garlic contains organosulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl sulfides, and ajoene, as well as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and prebiotic carbohydrates including inulin and fructooligosaccharides. These components contribute to antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities that influence the composition and metabolic functions of intestinal microbial communities. Studies from in vitro models, animal experiments, and human clinical trials suggest that garlic consumption promotes beneficial microorganisms such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus while inhibiting pathogenic bacteria. Garlic-derived prebiotics are fermented by intestinal microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which support intestinal barrier integrity, immune regulation, and metabolic homeostasis. Through microbiota-mediated mechanisms, garlic has been associated with improvements in metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal health, immune responses, and cancer prevention. Despite promising findings, variability in garlic preparations and limited human clinical trials remain challenges for clinical translation. Further research integrating advanced microbiome technologies and well-designed clinical studies is necessary to fully elucidate garlic’s role as a functional food and nutraceutical for microbiome modulation and disease prevention.},
        keywords = {Garlic; Allium sativum; gut microbiota; microbiome; prebiotics; organosulfur compounds; SCFAs; functional foods.},
        month = {March},
        }