An extract of garlic may help to lower blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, new research suggests.
Scientists at the University of Adelaide recruited 50 patients, all of whom were being treated for persistent high blood pressure. Half of the participants were given daily garlic capsules for 12 weeks, while the other half received a placebo (dummy pill).
The researchers found that, over the course of the study, systolic blood pressure - the pressure exerted when the heart contracts - tended to be lower in patients who were taking garlic extract.
Writing in the journal Maturitas, the study authors concluded: "Our trial suggests that aged garlic extract is superior to placebo in lowering systolic blood pressure, similarly to current first-line medications in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension."
But a spokeswoman for the British Heart Foundation said that more research is needed.
Senior cardiac nurse Ellen Mason observed that garlic has featured in medicine for thousands of years.
"This study demonstrated a slight blood pressure reduction after using aged garlic supplements, but it's not significant enough or in a large enough group of people to currently recommend it instead of medicine," Ms Mason pointed out. "So enjoy garlic as part of your diet, but don't stop taking your blood pressure medication," she advised.
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