Garlic May Help Reduce Blood Pressure in People With Hypertension

Garlic has been used for generation in folk remedies for toothaches, colds, ear infections, and conditions related to the heart and blood system. Now a recent study suggests that taking garlic supplements may help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.

For their analysis, researchers examined 17 trials that looked at the effects of garlic on blood pressure. They found that taking garlic supplements was associated with a reduction in systolic blood pressure of an average 3.75 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of an average 3.39 mmHg.

Upon further examination, they found that the effects were only significant for people with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

Researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in China conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on January 5, 2015, in The Journal of Clinical Hypertension.

Garlic is high in magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium, and has been linked to many things including boosting the immune system and keeping your mind sharp as you age.

Garlic can be added to almost any meal, from omelets to salads to meat. It can also be obtained in oil, powder or cooked form or, as in the case of this study, in a supplemental form.