New peer-reviewed research suggests that certain garlic varieties exhibit significant antiviral activity, prompting the launch of new garlic-based health products at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. The studies, published in the Journal of Functional Foods and JSFA Reports, demonstrated that specific garlic cultivars showed strong activity against respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A in laboratory settings. Notably, the same cultivars were effective across both viruses, indicating that the antiviral properties are linked to the variety itself rather than growing conditions.
Nick Diamantopoulos, founder of SupaG Health Pty Ltd, will unveil the company's new garlic supplement at the festival. The product is based on a proprietary ingredient derived from identified cultivars, supported by the published research. Diamantopoulos emphasized that not all garlic is equal for health benefits, noting that different varieties possess distinct biochemical properties. The company's research program draws on over 30 years of collection, breeding, and analysis of more than 300 garlic varieties from around the world.
The studies, titled "Inhibitory effects of SARS-CoV-2 penetration of host cells by garlic oil and juice extract are cultivar specific" and "Inhibition of influenza virus infection by garlic oil and juice in cell culture", found that only a small subset of garlic exhibited meaningful antiviral activity and that extracts were able to impede viral entry into host cells. Diamantopoulos believes these discoveries could be historically significant for the garlic industry, moving from generic products towards cultivar-specific nutraceuticals with targeted functional properties.
SupaG Health is actively pursuing distribution partnerships, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical collaborations, and retail expansion based on its proprietary research. Diamantopoulos will be available at the Gilroy Garlic Festival on July 24-26 for media interviews and discussions about the research and commercial development plans. The company aims to establish a new premium category within the health industry, with products backed by scientific evidence.
The scientific studies referenced in this release were conducted in laboratory settings and do not constitute clinical evidence in humans. These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. SupaG Health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
