The phrase “... tabete wa ikenai” (“you shouldn’t eat ...”), which is typically used as an advisory against possibly harmful foods and medications, has popped up regularly in magazine headlines related to diet and health over the past couple of decades. More recently, a considerable amount of copy has been devoted to food that is believed to boost one’s immunity to infections — all the more so during the current pandemic.
So Shukan Gendai (May 15) may have dropped a bombshell, claiming that garlic — a natural flavoring widely considered to carry health benefits that include boosted immunity — should not be consumed by people above the age of 65.
The article cites research by Toyohiko Ariga, a professor emeritus at Nihon University, who warns that over consumption of garlic can cause adverse reactions, including stomach pain and vomiting.