Nick Diamantopoulos, founder of SupaG Health Pty Ltd, is set to unveil new garlic products at the Gilroy Garlic Festival this July, following peer-reviewed research showing that certain garlic varieties possess significant antiviral properties. The studies, published in the Journal of Functional Foods (2024) and JSFA Reports (2026), demonstrated that specific garlic extracts inhibited SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A virus entry into host cells in laboratory tests.
The research, which analyzed over 300 garlic varieties from around the world, found that only a small subset of cultivars exhibited meaningful antiviral activity, regardless of where they were grown. This suggests that the health benefits are linked to the garlic variety itself rather than growing conditions. “These findings fundamentally change the way we should think about garlic,” Diamantopoulos said. “Not all garlic is equal for health benefits, just as not all garlic is equal for nutrition and flavor.”
The implications are significant for the nutraceutical industry. Diamantopoulos believes the discoveries could represent one of the most historically significant scientific developments in the garlic industry. “The future of garlic nutraceuticals will not be commodity-based. It will be health-specific,” he said. “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 introducing a premium garlic supplement at the festival, featuring a proprietary ingredient backed by peer-reviewed science. The company is pursuing distribution partnerships, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical collaborations, and retail expansion. Throughout the festival, Diamantopoulos and his team will be available to discuss the research and commercial development plans.
The research highlights that biological activity depends on the garlic cultivar, extraction methods, and formulation techniques, creating opportunities for intellectual property around identified cultivars and proprietary formulations. However, the studies were conducted in laboratory settings and do not constitute clinical evidence in humans. The statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Diamantopoulos, who has over 30 years of experience in garlic breeding and collection, sees the Gilroy Garlic Festival as the ideal venue to launch this new category. “This research establishes a scientific foundation for a new premium category within the health industry. Gilroy is the ideal place to begin that conversation with the world,” he said.
