Effect of Garlic on Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetes

Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most common risk factors for diabetes and can accelerate cardiovascular complications of diabetes which is the main cause of mortality. There are various diets, chemical and herbal agents for lowering blood glucose and control of HTN. Garlic has been used from old times for diabetes and HTN. In this study the effects of Garsin (garlic extract from Goldarou Company, Iran), on blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was evaluated. A total of 45 type 2 diabetic patients were selected randomly from diabetics attending Yazd Diabetes Research Center. They underwent treatment with one Garsin tablet (300 mg of effective extract of garlic) three times a day for 4 weeks, blood glucose levels were measured both at the beginning and end of the study. Garsin tablet significantly (p<0.001) reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 10.15 ± 12.85 mmHg and 3.5 ±4.55 mmHg respectively. There was no significant association between blood pressure changing and sex, age, BMI and duration of diabetes. Our results showed that 900 mg daily garlic consumption can decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure in diabetic patients. Based on our findings garlic can be recommended for hypertensive type II diabetic patients.