Garlic supplements may lower your blood pressure as effectively as some hypertension drugs suggests a recent research review by The University of Adelaide in South Australia. “Supplementation with garlic preparations may provide an acceptable alternative or complementary treatment option for hypertension,” the report states.
The researchers found that, in general, garlic reduced systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) by 4.6 mm Hg, on average. In people with high blood pressure, garlic reduced systolic blood pressure by 8.4 mm Hg, on average, and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in the reading) by 7.3 mm Hg. Doses ranged from 600 mg to 900 mg daily for each study.
Researchers admit, however, that more studies need to be done to determine if garlic can have a long-term effect on heart disease.
