03.02.15
Source: Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 2015:1–9. DOI: 10.1111/jch.12473
Research: Garlic supplements are thought to reduce blood pressure (BP). The authors performed a meta-analysis to investigate garlic’s effect on BP. Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, and PubMed (1946 to November 2013) were used to search for randomized controlled trials. Seventeen trials were included.
Results: Pooled analysis suggested garlic intake caused a 3.75-mm Hg reduction (95% confidence interval [CI], −5.04 to −2.45, I2=30.7%; P<.001) in systolic BP and a 3.39-mm Hg reduction (95% CI, −4.14 to −2.65, I2=67%; P<.001) in diastolic BP compared with controls. Meta-analysis of subgroups showed a significant reduction in systolic BP in hypertensive (−4.4 mm Hg; 95% CI, −7.37 to −1.42, I2=0.0%; P=.004) but not normotensive patients. No significant reduction in diastolic BP was seen. After sensitivity analysis, heterogeneity disappeared and significant diastolic BP reduction (−2.68 mm Hg, 95% CI, −4.93 to −0.42, I2=0.0%; P=.020) was shown in hypertensive patients.
Researchers concluded this meta-analysis suggests garlic supplementation is superior to placebo in reducing BP in hypertensive patients, especially in those with high SBP. More trials should be performed to explore the association between dosage and duration of garlic and change in BP. The safety of long-term use should also be investigated before garlic is used as conventional therapy for hypertension.
Research: Garlic supplements are thought to reduce blood pressure (BP). The authors performed a meta-analysis to investigate garlic’s effect on BP. Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, and PubMed (1946 to November 2013) were used to search for randomized controlled trials. Seventeen trials were included.
Results: Pooled analysis suggested garlic intake caused a 3.75-mm Hg reduction (95% confidence interval [CI], −5.04 to −2.45, I2=30.7%; P<.001) in systolic BP and a 3.39-mm Hg reduction (95% CI, −4.14 to −2.65, I2=67%; P<.001) in diastolic BP compared with controls. Meta-analysis of subgroups showed a significant reduction in systolic BP in hypertensive (−4.4 mm Hg; 95% CI, −7.37 to −1.42, I2=0.0%; P=.004) but not normotensive patients. No significant reduction in diastolic BP was seen. After sensitivity analysis, heterogeneity disappeared and significant diastolic BP reduction (−2.68 mm Hg, 95% CI, −4.93 to −0.42, I2=0.0%; P=.020) was shown in hypertensive patients.
Researchers concluded this meta-analysis suggests garlic supplementation is superior to placebo in reducing BP in hypertensive patients, especially in those with high SBP. More trials should be performed to explore the association between dosage and duration of garlic and change in BP. The safety of long-term use should also be investigated before garlic is used as conventional therapy for hypertension.
