We came across a post on X with the claim that garlic has been proven to kill brain cancer cells without any side effects.
The claim references an article by Natural News titled “Suppressed science: Garlic proven to kill brain cancer cells without side effects” which talks about an allegedly obscure study proving that garlic can kill brain cancer cells without side effects. The article implies that garlic could be used as a natural cure for cancer.
The article, which was first published over 10 years ago, references a 2007 study by researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina in the US, which aimed to understand how specific compounds derived from garlic affect glioblastoma cells, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The researchers chose garlic due to its perception as a medicinal herb, and other studies have acknowledged its antibiotic properties.
As of 2024, over 100 Singaporeans are diagnosed with glioblastoma annually, and the average lifespan upon diagnosis is around two years. Singapore’s National Neuroscience Institute describes glioblastoma as a “brutal form” of brain cancer, as it spreads quickly and is difficult to treat, with common symptoms including “severe headaches, seizures, personality changes, and confusion”.
Hence, there is a desire to find an effective treatment for this disease. Even here in Singapore, researchers from the National University Hospital and the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine conducted a series of clinical trials in 2023, to test potential stem-cell-based therapy for the aggressive form of cancer.
About the study
In the 2007 study mentioned above, the researchers explored the effects of three naturally occurring garlic compounds—diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), and diallyl trisulfide (DATS)—on human glioblastoma cells. The research was conducted in vitro, meaning the experiments were performed on cells cultured outside the human body, typically in a laboratory environment.
The study found that all three garlic-derived compounds were effective at inducing apoptosis –a controlled and regulated form of cell death – in glioblastoma cells. Among them, DATS was found to be the most effective compound in this process.
Expanding on the 2007 study, additional research—both in vitro and in animal models—supports the idea that garlic-derived compounds may have cancer-fighting properties. These studies suggest that such compounds can inhibit enzymes responsible for activating carcinogens (potentially cancer-causing compounds) and support DNA repair. Hence, on the surface, these findings appear to be promising.
However, a closer examination of the evidence reveals that claims suggesting consuming garlic can cure cancer—such as those implied by Natural News—are not scientifically supported.
While the 2007 study found that compounds like DADS and DATS could induce apoptosis in glioblastoma cells, these results were observed only in vitro. Laboratory findings like these do not automatically translate to real-world clinical effectiveness or safe therapeutic use in humans. They have also yet to be confirmed in large-scale human trials.
One 2018 study found that injecting raw garlic extract into mice showed cancer-fighting effects while feeding garlic to mice did not. However, there is no evidence that similar results will occur in humans.
Developing effective cancer treatments requires a long, rigorous process—starting with animal testing, followed by multiple phases of clinical trials in humans to evaluate the safety, efficacy, appropriate dosing, and side effects. So, while this research helps us understand how garlic compounds interact with cancer cells, it does not mean that DAS, DADS, or DATS are proven or approved treatments for cancer.
While numerous laboratory studies suggest that the natural compounds in garlic may help slow or stop cancer cell growth, human studies remain limited and inconclusive. Most available data come from observational studies, which compare groups with high garlic intake to those with lower intake. However, these studies can be influenced by many other dietary or lifestyle factors. In essence, garlic may offer some preventative benefits as part of a balanced diet, but it is not a proven cure or standalone treatment for cancer.
Hence, we rate the claim that garlic can be used as a treatment for brain cancer, like glioblastoma, as false.
Regulating the source
The original article was published on Natural News, a US-based website that claims to advocate for science-based natural health. In reality, the site has faced widespread criticism for promoting misinformation related to health and politics. It has been flagged multiple times by fact-checkers for publishing unverified or misleading claims, especially around alternative medicine and conspiracy theories.
The founder of Natural News, Mike Adams, who is also known as Michael Allen or the Health Ranger, owns several other websites that promote right-wing hyper-partisan content and conspiracy theories. He is also a dietary supplement purveyor, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest in the health claims published on his platforms.
Hence, before acting on such health information, it is important to verify it through trusted, peer-reviewed sources and seek advice from qualified healthcare professionals. Reliable health claims will be supported by rigorous scientific research, not sensational headlines or marketing tactics.
