The research team pointed out that the presence of high muscle strength, better triglyceride levels and a lower predisposition to neurocognitive disorders is associated with a greater activity of the physiological mechanisms on which the compounds obtained from garlic act, according to data collected in a joint observational analysis with the Virgen del Rocío Hospital in Seville. As the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) reports, this finding suggests the possibility of translating the effects found in animal models to human health, although experts urge caution and advocate for more extensive studies in animals and humans before making official recommendations against the consumption of these compounds.
The study, led by scientists from the Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Cabimer) and disseminated by the CSIC, showed that diallyl sulfur compounds, present in foods of the Allium family such as garlic, onions and leeks, can extend the life of mice and improve their quality. The media report highlights that more than half of older people do not enjoy an optimal quality of life and that diseases such as Alzheimer’s, sarcopenia and type 2 diabetes tend to increase with age, motivating the search for new strategies to address these challenges.
The paper in the journal Cell Metabolism said the researchers observed how including sulfur-rich molecules from garlic improved several parameters of health in young and older mice. Diallyl sulfur managed to delay the manifestations associated with the worsening of aging, such as neurodegenerative changes, a reduction in muscle mass and metabolic disorders, the CSIC explained. The organization also explained that improvements in insulin regulation and key cell signaling mechanisms have been observed with aging.
Alejandro Martín-Montalvo, senior researcher at CSIC and Cabimer, explained that the compounds in question act as antioxidants and promote the formation of hydrogen sulfide, which can modulate biological pathways related to longevity. According to the CSIC, this is the first case in which it has been shown in mammals that it is possible, through direct dietary interventions with these molecules, to induce and enhance mechanisms that determine a longer and healthier life.
The first author of the study, María Ángeles Cáliz Molina, explained to the CSIC that the compounds analyzed modulate critical mechanisms closely linked to the aging process in both animals and humans. To validate the connection between the physiological processes modulated by diallyl sulfur and human health, the team studied humans in collaboration with the Virgen del Rocío Hospital. They found that the physiological signals activated by these compounds were associated with greater muscle strength and a lower risk of cognitive decline.
The work published by the CSIC warns that although these are compounds present in common foods and responsible for sensory flavor and aroma nuances, the possibility of their therapeutic use requires more rigorous experimental validation. Martín-Montalvo emphasized the need to determine the true scope and limitations of compounds before broadly recommending them.
The CSIC also reported that diallyl sulfur, released when garlic is cut or chewed, helps counteract cellular damage caused by free radicals and reduce chronic, low-grade inflammation or meta-inflammation that is associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity or elevated blood sugar. This aspect is relevant given the increasing frequency of chronic diseases in the older population.
Experimental development focused on verifying whether the administration of natural compounds represents an effective strategy to curb the progression of age-related pathologies. The international research was carried out in collaboration with institutions such as the Institute of Fat (IG-CSIC), the Institute of Plant Biochemistry and Photosynthesis (IBVF, CSIC-US), the Príncipe Felipe Research Center, the Internal Medicine Service of the Virgen del Rocío Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic and the Diabetes and Related Metabolic Diseases Division of CIBER, as detailed by the CSIC.
The scientific organization emphasized in its statement that the emergence of chronic age-related diseases requires the development of new preventive solutions and that the positive effects of sulfur-rich botanicals on the main biological pathways of aging increase interest in the further development of basic and clinical research in this field. The CSIC reported that the findings in mice, together with preliminary data in humans, support the priority of further research over recommending dietary changes or the use of supplements.
Those responsible for the study stated that the goal of this research is to develop solutions to minimize the risk and prevalence of chronic diseases associated with aging. According to CSIC, a focus on the quality of life of the elderly population is one of the primary guidelines in global health.
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