Garlic for Blood Pressure: Beneficial or Bogus? – Healthline

Research suggests garlic may be an effective supplement for treating high blood pressure. Here’s how it works.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition that affects about one in three adults in Western countries. It often comes with no symptoms yet significantly increases a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke (1).
Blood-pressure-lowering drugs often cause a range of unpleasant side effects, which helps explain the growing interest in potentially effective natural remedies, such as garlic.
This article discusses whether garlic is a safe and effective way to naturally lower your blood pressure, and if so, which forms are most effective.
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a vegetable that has been used as a natural blood-pressure-lowering remedy since ancient times (2).
Recent research suggests this may be for good reason, as garlic appears to be a very effective remedy against high blood pressure. In fact, some studies report it to be as effective as standard blood-pressure-lowering medications — with much fewer side effects (3).
One review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) — the gold standard in research — reported that garlic supplements may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure (the top and bottom numbers of a reading) by 6.7 and 4.8 mmHg, respectively, with no serious side effects.
The studies included in the review provided participants with 188–2,400 mg of garlic powder supplements or aged garlic extracts per day and lasted 8–12 weeks (4).
Several other recent reviews support these results, with many reporting blood pressure reductions ranging from 2.5–11.2 mm Hg following taking 600–2,400 mg of garlic powder per day for 8–24 weeks (3, 5, 6).
It’s noteworthy that although garlic’s blood-pressure-lowering effects appear universal, they seem greatest in people with elevated blood pressures, compared with those with blood pressures within the normal range (5).
Garlic may help reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels by up to 11.2 mm Hg. In some instances, garlic supplements may work as effectively as standard blood-pressure-lowering medications, with much fewer side effects.
Allicin, the main active compound in garlic, is thought to be largely responsible for garlic’s blood-pressure-lowering properties.
Research suggests that allicin may prevent the production of angiotensin II, a compound responsible for increasing blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to tighten up or contract (1, 2).
Allicin prevents the production of angiotensin II, making it easier for blood to flow freely and reducing blood pressure.
Allicin also appears to increase the production or availability of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide, two compounds crucial for regulating blood pressure levels (1, 7).
Moreover, experts believe that garlic’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may further contribute to garlic’s ability to reduce or prevent rises in blood pressure levels (1, 2, 7).
Garlic may help reduce blood pressure by preventing the production of angiotensin II, enhancing the availability of nitric oxide, or increasing the production of hydrogen sulfide. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may further help.
Garlic has been used for over 5,000 years to prevent and treat disease, with few reports of side effects (1).
To date, the majority of studies suggest that garlic supplements are very safe. The most commonly reported side effects include garlic breath, taste, or body odor.
Stomach upset, gas, reflux, or abdominal pain are also somewhat common, but complaints generally remain minor (6).
Other side effects may include hypersensitivity, headaches, dry mouth, coughs, hot flushes, mouth ulcers, and drowsiness, but these are considered rare (6).
Side effects appear to be most common when eating large quantities of garlic, and less common when garlic powder supplements or aged garlic extracts are used (1).
Large intakes of garlic, whether through diet or supplements, may thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding when combined with anticoagulant medication. If you’re currently taking medications, speak with a healthcare professional before drastically increasing your garlic intake (8).
Garlic is generally considered safe. Side effects appear minor or rare and may be most likely to occur upon consuming raw garlic rather than aged garlic extracts or garlic powder supplements.
So far, most studies reporting blood-pressure-lowering effects have provided participants with the following forms and amounts of garlic (3, 4, 5, 6):
Although blood pressure reductions have been observed with all of the forms above, some suggest that aged garlic extracts may be the most beneficial (6).
In any case, speak with your healthcare professional before trying garlic as a blood-pressure-lowering remedy. They can help you figure out the best form and most effective dosage.
Raw garlic, garlic powder, aged garlic extracts, or garlic oil all appear to help lower blood pressure. Effective dosages range from 12.3–2,400 mg per day for 2–24 weeks, depending on the form taken.
In addition to garlic, other potentially effective natural blood-pressure-reducing remedies include (2, 9, 10):
Keep in mind that although the use of many of these supplements to treat hypertension is supported by a large body of evidence, it’s always important to check with your doctor before adding any dietary supplement to your diet (11).
Other natural blood-pressure-lowering remedies exist. That said, it’s always best to consult your doctor before adding any dietary supplement to your diet.
Garlic is a safe and effective natural blood-pressure-lowering remedy.
It can be consumed in various forms, including raw garlic, garlic oil, aged garlic extracts, and garlic powder supplements.
Relatively large doses are needed before effects are noticeable, but these remedies appear to be as effective as conventional blood pressure medications, with much fewer side effects. Therefore, using garlic as a natural blood-pressure-lowering remedy may be worth a try.
Still, be sure to speak with a healthcare professional before adding a garlic supplement to your routine, especially if you’re taking medications or have an underlying health condition.
Last medically reviewed on April 24, 2024
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
Apr 24, 2024
Written By
Alina Petre
Edited By
Ari Howard
Medically Reviewed By
Megan Soliman, MD
Copy Edited By
Copy Editors
Dec 8, 2020
Written By
Alina Petre
Edited By
Susanne Arthur
Medically Reviewed By
Jillian Kubala, MS, RD
Copy Edited By
Christina Guzik, BA, MBA
Share this article
When your doctor takes your blood pressure, it’s expressed as a measurement with two numbers. But what's normal and what do the numbers mean?
Eating garlic provides many health benefits, including improved immune function. It can help prevent the common cold and the flu.
Garlic allergies are rare. If you do have an allergy to garlic, you may also need to avoid onion, leeks, and chives. Learn more.
Frequent beet juice consumption could boost heart health among postmenopausal women. Beet juice improves blood vessel function by increasing the…
Raw milk is gaining popularity, with some states recently passing or taking steps to legalize its commercial sale. Here’s what to know about the…
New research suggests that eating plant-based ultra-processed foods can raise your risk of heart disease and early death.
Popular prebiotic soda brand Poppi claims the drinks can improve gut health, but a new lawsuit alleges those claims may be misleading. Here's what…
New research finds that eating a pro-inflammatory diet may raise your risk of heart failure and cardiovascular disease.
A large-scale study suggests that consuming more salt may increase the risk of having active atopic dermatitis and be linked to more severe symptoms.
Electrolytes are minerals in your blood, urine and sweat that play many important roles in bodily functions. Learn more.
OUR BRANDS

source