High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious health issue that may increase the risk of life-threatening conditions like heart attack and stroke. Normal blood pressure measures 120/80; if your blood pressure consistently measures 140/90, steps must be taken to reduce it, such as quitting smoking, exercising more and losing any excess weight. Your doctor may also prescribe anti-hypertensive drugs to help bring your blood pressure down. Garlic, most commonly used to flavor cooking, may also help to lower high blood pressure although scientific proof that it works is limited. Don't take it in place of prescription medicines or lifestyle changes; get medical advice before using it.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Garlic is used as a complementary treatment for a number of conditions including benign prostatic hyperplasia, osteoarthritis, fungal infections and colds and flu. The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that it may also help to lower high blood pressure slightly. Garlic contains a myriad of active compounds including volatile oils, but two compounds known as allicin and alliin, likely confers garlic's therapeutic effects, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Administration
Garlic may be taken in capsules or tablets, but crushed raw garlic contains higher quantities of the active compounds, alliin and allicin.MedlinePlus states that 4 g of fresh garlic taken once daily has been been used to treat hypertension.
Effectiveness
An analysis of clinical trial data published in the June 2008 issue of "BMC Cardiovascular Disorders" concludes that garlic is superior to placebo in reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension. However, the article does not state whether the trials analyzed used fresh or processed garlic. Additional data published in the October 2010 issue of "Maturitas" shows that garlic lowers systolic blood pressure to a similar degree as prescription medications in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. However, the study looked at aged, not fresh garlic.
Safety Considerations
Consuming fresh garlic, although likely safe, may cause side effects including heartburn, bad breath, nausea, body odor and diarrhea, MedlinePlus notes. It may also irritate your stomach and increase the risk of bleeding. It may interact with other medicines you be taking, reducing their effectiveness, including HIV medicines, the birth control pill and anticoagulants. Get medical advice if you are unsure whether it is safe for you to use garlic alongside your current medicines.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hypercholesterolemia
- MedlinePlus: Garlic
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Garlic
- "BMC Cardiovascular Disorders"; Effect of Garlic on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis; K. Ried, et al.; June 2008
- "Maturitas"; Aged Garlic Extract Lowers Blood Pressure in Patients with Treated but Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Randomised controlled Trial; K. Ried, et al.; October 2010
