Researchers have identified specific garlic varieties that demonstrate strong antiviral activity against respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A, according to peer-reviewed studies published in the Journal of Functional Foods and JSFA Reports. The findings, presented by Nick Diamantopoulos, founder of SupaG Health Pty Ltd, at the Gilroy Garlic Festival this July, suggest that not all garlic is equal when it comes to health benefits.
The in vitro studies showed that only a small subset of garlic cultivars exhibited meaningful antiviral activity, regardless of growing location. Notably, the same cultivars were effective against both COVID and Influenza A, indicating that the antiviral properties are linked to the garlic variety itself rather than environmental factors. The research demonstrated that certain garlic extracts could impede viral entry into host cells, a mechanism that could be harnessed for future health products.
Diamantopoulos, who has spent over 30 years collecting and breeding more than 300 garlic varieties from around the world, believes these discoveries represent a significant scientific advancement for the garlic industry. “These findings fundamentally change the way we should think about garlic,” he said. “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 aims to move beyond generic garlic products toward cultivar-specific formulations with targeted functional properties. Diamantopoulos emphasized the shift from commodity-based garlic to health-specific products: “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.”
SupaG Health is launching a premium garlic supplement at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, featuring a proprietary ingredient supported by the peer-reviewed research. The company is actively pursuing distribution partnerships, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical collaborations, and further product development. Throughout the festival, Diamantopoulos and the SupaGarlic team will be available to discuss the published studies, commercial development plans, and opportunities for strategic partnerships.
According to the published research, biological activity depends on the underlying garlic cultivar, extraction methods, formulation techniques, and processing controls. This creates opportunities to develop intellectual property around identified cultivars and proprietary formulations for the nutraceutical, functional food, and pharmaceutical sectors. The studies, “Inhibitory effects of SARS-CoV-2 penetration of host cells by garlic oil and juice extract are cultivar specific” (Journal of Functional Foods, 2024) and “Inhibition of influenza virus infection by garlic oil and juice in cell culture” (JSFA Reports, 2026), provide the scientific foundation for this new category.
Diamantopoulos called Gilroy “the ideal place to begin that conversation with the world,” noting the festival’s status as the nation’s premier summer food event. The implications for the health industry are substantial: if these findings can be replicated in human trials, they could lead to evidence-based garlic supplements that offer targeted antiviral support. However, the company notes that the studies were conducted in laboratory settings and do not constitute clinical evidence in humans, and the products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
