Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a disorder that affects one out of every three persons in Western countries. It frequently has no symptoms yet increases a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke dramatically.
Blood-pressure medications frequently generate a variety of unpleasant side effects, which may explain why people are becoming more interested in potentially helpful natural therapies like garlic.
This article examines whether garlic is a safe and effective technique to naturally lower blood pressure, as well as which types are most helpful.
How Can Garlic Lowers Blood Pressure?
Since ancient times, garlic (Allium sativum) has been utilized as a natural blood pressure-lowering treatment.
Recent study reveals that this is for a good reason, as garlic appears to be an excellent treatment for high blood pressure. In fact, several studies have found it to be just as effective as traditional blood pressure drugs, but with far fewer adverse effects.
Supplements of garlic lowers blood pressure, systolic and diastolic (the top and bottom numbers of a reading) by 6.7 and 4.8 mmHg, respectively, according to a study of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the gold standard in research.
The 8–12 week studies included in the study gave participants 188–2,400 mg of garlic powder supplements or aged garlic extracts per day.
Several additional recent studies back up these findings, with several claiming blood pressure drops of 2.5–11.2 mm Hg after consuming 600–2,400 mg of garlic powder per day for 8–24 weeks.
It’s worth noting that, while garlic lowers blood pressure effects appear to be universal, they appear to be strongest in persons who have high blood pressure compared to those who have normal with garlic lowers blood pressure.
How Does Garlic Lowers Blood Pressure Work?
Garlic’s major active ingredient, allicin, is thought to be responsible for the herb’s blood pressure-lowering qualities.
Allicin may suppress the synthesis of angiotensin II, a chemical that raises blood pressure by causing blood vessels to tighten or contract, according to research.
Allicin’s properties limit the synthesis of angiotensin II, making it simpler for your blood to flow freely and lowering your blood pressure.
Allicin also appears to boost the formation or availability of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide, two important chemicals for blood pressure regulation.
Garlic’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics, according to experts, may also contribute to garlic lowers blood pressure rises.
Safety
Garlic has been used to prevent and treat disease for over 5,000 years, with few reports of negative side effects.
Garlic supplements have been shown to be extremely safe in the majority of research to date. Garlic breath, taste, and body odor are the most commonly reported negative effects.
Stomach distress, gas, reflux, or abdominal discomfort are also prevalent, but these are usually minor concerns.
Hypersensitivity, headaches, dry mouth, coughing, hot flushes, mouth ulcers, and sleepiness are all possible adverse effects, but they are uncommon.
When using garlic powder supplements or aged garlic extracts, side effects tend to be more likely when ingesting significant amounts of garlic.
When taken with anti-coagulant medicine, a high consumption of garlic, whether through food or supplements, can thin the blood and raise the risk of bleeding. If you’re on any drugs, check with your doctor before substantially increasing your garlic consumption.
The Bottom Line
Garlic is a natural blood pressure-lowering treatment that is both safe and efficient.
Pressed garlic with best garlic press, raw garlic, garlic oil, aged garlic extracts, and garlic powder supplements are some of the ways it can be ingested.
Although rather large doses are required before effects become apparent, these therapies appear to be as effective as traditional blood pressure drugs while having far fewer negative effects. As a result, experimenting with garlic as a natural blood pressure-lowering therapy may be worthwhile.
However, before adding a garlic supplement to your routine, talk to your doctor, especially if you’re on any medications or have a medical problem.
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