Scientists have named a product that reduces cholesterol absorption in the body

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High cholesterol increases the risk of various health complications. This includes, but is not limited to, an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Managing cholesterol often requires a combination of a good diet, regular exercise, and medication. One food that has been positively associated with good cholesterol is garlic, Express reports. A meta-analysis of available studies conducted by the Department of Complementary Medicine at the University of Exeter found a positive correlation between garlic and lowering cholesterol levels.

“The best available evidence suggests that garlic in amounts of approximately half to one clove per day reduced total serum cholesterol levels by approximately 9% in the patient groups studied.”

This study only studied people with total cholesterol levels greater than 200 mg/dL.

Later studies have questioned the extent to which garlic actually lowers cholesterol levels. The 2000 study looked exclusively at randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. This means that neither the researchers nor the patients knew who was receiving the garlic supplements and who was receiving the placebo. The authors studied the role of garlic as a supplement, not its use in cooking.

Among people whose cholesterol levels were above 200 mg/dL, they noted a reduction of about 15.7 mg/dL.

“The available evidence suggests that garlic is superior to placebo in reducing total cholesterol.”