Garlic Extract Reduces High Blood Pressure

A number of previous studies report of science cardiovascular benefits of garlic. Karin Ried, from the University of Adelaide (Australia), and colleagues have found beneficial effects for aged garlic extracts in reducing high blood pressure (hypertension).  The team studied 50 people with treated but uncontrolled hypertension. Subjects either received a daily dose of aged garlic extract of 3.84 grams (equivalent to 2.5 grams of fresh garlic), or placebo, for 12 weeks.  They found a drop in systolic blood pressure of 10.2 mmHg, in the subjects who took the garlic extract, while no effects on diastolic blood pressure were observed. The researchers conclude that: “Our trial suggests that aged garlic extract is superior to placebo in lowering systolic blood pressure similarly to current first line medications in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension.”