Supplement
Black garlic extract comes from garlic aged slowly under heat and humidity until it darkens, a process that creates antioxidant compounds. Pooled analyses found moderate evidence that LDL and total cholesterol were reduced and that systolic blood pressure fell by roughly 2.5 to 5 points overall. Those effects were modest, some of the data covers garlic more broadly, and the evidence for blood sugar is only limited.
- Updated
- How we grade
- 3 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade B
- Conditions studied
- 3
- Outcomes
- 5
- Graded outcomes
- 0410
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systolic Blood Pressure Meta-analysis: SBP reduced by 2.49-5.0mmHg overall; AGE at Heart trial showed -11.5mmHg in responders (PMID: 26764326) | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 800 people | |||
| Diastolic Blood Pressure Meta-analysis: DBP reduced by 1.5-6.3mmHg; greater effects in hypertensive subjects | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 800 people |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDL Cholesterol Meta-analyses: LDL reduced by 4.41-5.90mg/dL; 10% reduction when taken >2 months | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 2,300 people | |||
| Total Cholesterol Meta-analysis (PMID: 40580481): TC reduced by 10.21mg/dL with garlic consumption | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 2,300 people |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting Blood Glucose Meta-analysis: FBG reduced by 2.77mg/dL; insulin and HOMA-IR also improved | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 500 people |
Key findings
- Systolic Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)
- Diastolic Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)
- LDL CholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)
Studies cited
3 studies from PubMed
- Effects of Garlic Supplementation on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adults: A Comprehensive Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Antihypertensive Effects of an Optimized Aged Garlic Extract in Subjects with Grade I Hypertension and Antihypertensive Drug Therapy: A Randomized, Triple-Blind Controlled Trial
- Garlic Lowers Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Individuals, Regulates Serum Cholesterol, and Stimulates Immunity: An Updated Meta-analysis and Review