Garlic Assists Blood Pressure Management

Numerous published studies link consumption of garlic (Allium sativum) with cardiovascular and immune health. Xiang-Jun Yang, from The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (China), and colleagues completed a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials that studied the effects of garlic powder, aged garlic extract, and garlic oil on blood pressure.  The investigators revealed that the garlic supplements studied, ranging in dosages of 300-900 mg/day, reduced systolic blood pressure by 3.75 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 3.39 mmHg, among those people with hypertension (elevated blood pressure). The study authors submit that: “This meta-analysis suggests that garlic supplements are superior to controls (placebo in most trails) in reducing [blood pressure], especially in hypertensive patients.”