Garlic controls blood pressure’


An international team has found that garlic extract can help treat high blood pressure.

Suffering from hypertension? Try out garlic as an adjunct to conventional drugs, for a new study claims that it controls blood pressure levels.

An international team, led by Dr Karin Ried at the University of Adelaide, has found garlic extract can help treat high blood pressure, the ‘Maturitas’ scientific journal reported in its latest edition.

However, raw or cooked garlic, and garlic powder are not as effective in treating high blood pressure as aged garlic extract, says the study.

In a 12-week trial, involving 50 people, the team found that those with systolic blood pressure above 140 who took aged garlic extract capsules experienced an average systolic blood pressure 10.2 mm Hg lower than the control group, who took a placebo.

“This reduction is clinically significant, as a drop in systolic blood pressure by 5 mm Hg reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 8 to 20 per cent.

“Garlic is thought to have an antihypertensive effect because it stimulates production of certain chemical substances called nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which helps relax blood vessels,” Dr Ried said.

He added: “High blood pressure is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. About 30 per cent of adults in Australia are hypertensive, yet only half those numbers are on BP medication and 60 per cent of those who are receiving treatment are inadequately controlled.

“This shows there is plenty of scope to explore the use of garlic as an effective treatment option for people suffering hypertension.”