What your grandmother and great grandmother always said is true - garlic is good for you, and should be part of a healthy lifestyle.

Many studies show that fresh garlic has a positive impact on a wide range of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, colorectal and gastric cancer, prostate cancer, and unhealthful cholesterol levels. And garlic delivers a powerful preventative boost as well, through its proven antioxidant, antibiotic and antibacterial properties.

Garlic's health-boosting power comes from a sulfur compound known as allicin. Allicin is released when garlic is chewed or crushed, and it's the source of that distinctive and mouth-watering garlic aroma.

Fresh California garlic is the best source of allicin: Tests conducted by the National Food Lab show that California garlic contains 19% more allicin per clove than many imported garlic varieties. So why not just take garlic capsules? Here's why: A 600mg capsule of garlic extract produces about 3,600 mcg (micrograms) of allicin, while a clove of fresh garlic produces 18,300 mcg of allicin.* Fresh is best; and California fresh is nothing short of superior.

*Results from the National Food Lab