Fact Check: Viral video calling garlic toxic and artificial debunked

Hyderabad: A Facebook post calling garlic toxic and fake food is being widely shared on social media.

The Facebook post claims that garlic is a fake food and does not come from the Earth, which makes it extremely acidic. The post further claims that in the year 1934 garlic was used as a poison on soldiers’ knives so that the enemy hurt by the knives would never heal.

It further claims that garlic is so toxic the body loses its ability to heal. This post claims that by consuming garlic the body won’t get enough oxygen, increasing the mucus in the body. The author advises people to completely cut off the ‘toxic garbage’, that is garlic.

Let’s find out if the viral post on garlic is true.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false.

Is garlic really made in a factory?

No, it isn't. There are multiple articles on the Internet that show how to grow garlic naturally from soil. Unlike vegetables grown from seeds or plants, garlic is grown from single cloves — the same cloves used in cooking. Each clove grows into a full head.

Garlic grows best under full, direct sun in loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Abundant harvests depend on solid plant nutrition. A generous 3 to 4-inch layer of organic matter, such as compost, enhances the garden beds for garlic.

Garlic can also be grown in a mini garden at home.

Is garlic toxic?

No, garlic is not toxic. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognises garlic and its derivatives as a safe food for humans to consume.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, “Garlic is probably safe for most people in the amounts usually eaten in foods. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use garlic supplements or apply garlic to the skin during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Side effects include breath and body odor, heartburn, and upset stomach. These side effects can be more noticeable with raw garlic. Some people have allergic reactions to garlic. Taking garlic supplements may increase the risk of bleeding. If you take an anticoagulant (blood thinner), such as warfarin (Coumadin), or if you need surgery. Garlic supplements may interfere with the effectiveness of some drugs, including saquinavir, a drug used to treat HIV infection. Garlic supplements may also interact with some dietary herbs and other supplements.”

Hence, keeping the side effects, allergies and age factor in mind, it is always good to take garlic in moderation. The claim that garlic is artificial and toxic is false.

Who is behind the fake news?

We analyzed the Facebook page, Awakened World, which published the fake claim and found a link to a website called Awakensupps. The About section of the website states that it is a health brand by Dr Sebi. It should be noted that Dr Sebi was a self-proclaimed UN-licenced physician who died in 2016. He was mostly known for his unproven and unscientific herb-based remedies.