title: Effect of garlic on blood pressure: a meta-analysis.
abstract: 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. Pooled analysis showed that garlic intake caused a 3.75-mm Hg reduction (95% confidence interval [CI], -5.04 to -2.45, I(2) =30.7%; P<.001) in systolic BP and a 3.39-mm Hg reduction (95% CI, -4.14 to -2.65, I(2) =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, I(2) =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, I(2) =0.0%; P=.020) was shown in hypertensive patients. This meta-analysis suggests that garlic supplements are superior to controls (placebo in most trails) in reducing BP, especially in hypertensive patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Peng
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Li-Qiang
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Xiang-Jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005737:Garlic; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts