How much allicin to lower blood pressure?

You’ve heard about the wonders of garlic, the pungent bulbous vegetable which not only adds flavor to your dishes but also has medicinal properties. One of the most touted benefits of garlic is its ability to reduce high blood pressure, a condition that affects millions worldwide. But how much allicin should you consume to reap this benefit? In this article, we’ll dive deep into the science behind garlic and explore what studies have found regarding its effect on blood pressure.

Garlic: A brief overview

Garlic (Allium sativum) belongs to the onion family and is closely related to other vegetables like onions, shallots, and leeks. Its use dates back thousands of years when it was first cultivated in central Asia for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The main active ingredient in garlic responsible for its health benefits is Allicin – an organosulfur compound with potent antioxidant properties.

High Blood pressure: What’s all the fuss?

High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when there’s increased force applied against arterial walls as your heart pumps out blood. This increased resistance can cause stress on muscles in arteries leading up to major organs including kidneys and brain.
Given that untreated high BP increases risks of developing dangerous conditions such as stroke or chronic kidney problems, It’s easy to see why many people are interested in natural ways like using garlic extract supplements

Allicin content determines effectiveness

Allicin is generally considered one of the key bioactive compounds responsible for Garlic’s beneficial effects on human health and research suggests different preparations provide varying amounts

Preparation Method Description Allicin Content
Raw Whole cloves eaten raw Very low
Crushed Freshly crushed Medium-low
Matured black Matured black garlic paste Low
Aged Aged Garlic Extract Suppelements Various

As shown in the above table, there are several ways to prepare garlic to maximize its potential as an anti-hypertensive. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that garlic was mainly studied for hypertensive patients when prepared into supplements delivering daily doses of 600-1200mg allicin.

Results: What science says

According to a meta-analysis published by researchers from the University of Adelaide’s School of Medicine, consuming garlic extract supplements lowered systolic blood pressure (SBP) by approximately 4-9mm Hg on average. In addition, they found that significant reductions in diastolic BP (DBP) were also seen with supplementation; about 5 mm Hg reduction compared to control groups over an average treatment duration ranging between one and six months.

However, while these results show statistically significant effects worth considering, it remains unclear whether such modest declines have clinical relevance in otherwise healthy normotensive general public.

Effect varies among age-groups

Researchers suggest younger individuals saw a greater decrease in arterial blood pressure following supplementing with Garlic extract(allicin concentrate at ~1000mg p/d), whilst senior citizen & those living under chronic hypertension display more marginal changes (Bioactivity which accompanies aging or long-term health issues may impact effectiveness)

It depends on certain factors:

Apart from your demographic category(conversations around smoking habit ), dietary habits and additional nutrients intake also plays roles. Typically fasting increases the bioavailability whilst meals substantially impacts absorption so doctors recommend taking garlic supplements during meal-times and avoiding them close before bed since they can cause smell discomfort throughout sleep .

Conclusion:

The therapeutic benefits attributed to allicin-rich products vary depending on preparation techniques used, putting users in different brackets according available Allicin content.Multiple studies conducted point to modest blood pressure benefits when garlic extract supplements are added to patients’ prescribed medication or in mildly hypertensive individuals. Always consult your physician before changing your regimen, and remember – Garlic smells but does wonders!

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