What Is The Garlic Blood Pressure Link?

For a long time now there has been anecdotal evidence of a garlic blood pressure link.

Recent studies have backed up many of the beliefs that were untested previously. It seems that the compounds that give garlic its distinctive smell and strong flavour, also help protect the body from some forms of cancer by reducing the effects of cancer causing chemicals and reducing the growth of tumors.

Garlic has been used for centuries, particularly in Chinese medicine, and it has been associated with some miraculous abilities. Garlic has been employed to help relieve anything from a simple common cold all the way through to the plague.

While not quite the super drug it has been made out to be, it does have some significant healing abilities.

Unfortunately, for those who do not like the smell of garlic, the stronger the aroma it gives off the greater the medicinal value is considered to be.

Many growers of garlic believe that when it is grown organically the sulphur content increases, and so the smell is greater. So health practitioners will often suggest choosing organic garlic over other readily available types.

There is of course the option to choose garlic supplements, and these are a good way of getting the correct daily quota if the thought of eating raw garlic is too much for you. But as with the garlic itself, do not go for supplements that have "no odour" as they will have most likely had the active ingredients removed.

More recent studies have shown some of the incredible benefits of garlic, which range from having strong antibiotic properties, to being good as a mosquito repellent.

Garlic can act as an anticoagulant and thin the blood, so seek medical advice before tucking into garlic rich foods or supplements if you are on medication or just prior to surgery.

In trials of garlic supplements there was evidence to show that there was a significant reduction in blood pressure and it was thought that garlic powder supplements could be of use to patients who have mild hypertension.

If you want to find out more about super foods and the garlic blood pressure link then please sign up for our free newsletter.