New peer-reviewed research has identified specific garlic varieties that demonstrate significant antiviral activity in laboratory studies, challenging the notion that all garlic offers the same health benefits. The findings, published in the Journal of Functional Foods (2024) and JSFA Reports (2026), showed that certain garlic cultivars exhibited strong activity against respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and Influenza A. The in vitro studies revealed that only a small subset of garlic, regardless of growing location, displayed meaningful antiviral effects, with extracts able to impede viral entry into host cells.
Nick Diamantopoulos, founder of SupaG Health Pty Ltd, will unveil new garlic products at the renowned Gilroy Garlic Festival this July, based on this research. “These findings fundamentally change the way we should think about garlic,” said Diamantopoulos. “For generations, garlic has been viewed as a natural remedy, however our research indicates that not all garlic is equal for health benefits, just as not all garlic is equal for nutrition and flavor.” The research program draws on more than 30 years of collection, breeding, and analysis of over 300 garlic varieties from around the world.
The studies found that the same cultivars demonstrated activity against both COVID-19 and Influenza A, suggesting the antiviral properties are linked to the garlic variety itself rather than growing conditions. This creates opportunities for intellectual property development around identified cultivars and proprietary formulations. According to the published research, biological activity depends on the underlying garlic cultivar, extraction methods, formulation techniques, and processing controls.
Diamantopoulos believes these discoveries represent one of the most historically significant scientific developments in the garlic industry. “The future of garlic nutraceuticals will not be commodity-based. It will be health-specific. We are moving from generic garlic products towards identified cultivars with targeted functional properties, proprietary formulations, traceable genetics and evidence-based health positioning,” he stated. The company is actively pursuing distribution partnerships, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical collaborations, and retail expansion opportunities based on its proprietary research.
At the Gilroy Garlic Festival, Diamantopoulos and the SupaGarlic team will discuss the published research, commercial development plans, and opportunities for strategic partnerships and clinical research collaborations. The event, considered the nation's premier summer food event, provides a platform to introduce this new category of premium evidence-based garlic health products. “This research establishes a scientific foundation for a new premium category within the health industry. Gilroy is the ideal place to begin that conversation with the world,” Diamantopoulos added.
Importantly, the scientific studies referenced 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, and SupaG Health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
