大蒜有助于降低血压

Garlic has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for everything from parasites and liver disorders to bronchitis and diabetes. Today, garlic's many health benefits continue to be studied. One of the most exciting discoveries about garlic is its ability to help reduce blood pressure.

数千年来，大蒜一直被用作治疗寄生虫、肝脏疾病、支气管炎和糖尿病等各种疾病的药物。今天，大蒜的许多健康益处仍在继续研究。大蒜最令人兴奋的发现之一是它有助于降低血压。

In the United States, around 45% of adults suffer from high blood pressure, and many of them don't even know they have it. Millions more have prehypertension, a condition that will likely lead to high blood pressure if not treated (via MedAlertHelp). This is an epidemic of staggering proportions since high blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke, as well as other serious health issues.

在美国，大约45%的成年人患有高血压，其中许多人甚至不知道自己患有高血压。还有数百万人就处在高血压前期，如果不进行治疗，这种情况很可能导致高血压。这是一种惊人的流行病，因为高血压是心脏病、中风以及其他严重健康问题的主要危险因素。

This is where the research into garlic's blood pressure-lowering abilities gets interesting. One review of 21 studies on garlic suggested that the herb has the ability to significantly reduce blood pressure by as much as 10%. "This review found evidence that garlic, in particular Kwai [brand], can reduce the stickiness of the blood, results in dilatation of the arteries, and has antioxidant activity," Dr. Catherine Hood, an independent expert in nutrition and dietetics, told The Daily Mail.

这就是大蒜降血压能力的研究变得有趣的地方。一项对21项大蒜研究的综述表明，大蒜能够显著降低10%的血压。营养学和营养学独立专家凯瑟琳·胡德博士告诉《每日邮报》：“这项研究发现证据表明，大蒜，尤其是Kwai[品牌]大蒜，可以降低血液粘性，导致动脉扩张，并具有抗氧化活性。”。

Scientists largely credit allicin, the main active compound in garlic, for its effect on blood pressure. Allicin is thought to inhibit the production of angiotensin II, the compound that is responsible for raising blood pressure. It's also thought to stimulate an increase in the production or availability of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide, both of which work to regulate blood pressure levels (via Healthline).

科学家们认为大蒜素是大蒜中主要的活性化合物，对血压有影响。大蒜素被认为可以抑制血管紧张素 II 的产生，血管紧张素II是一种可以提高血压的化合物。它还被认为可以刺激硫化氢和一氧化氮的产生和利用，这两种物质都可以调节血压水平。

While there is debate over which form of garlic — raw, tablets, oil, or extract — offers the most benefits, studies have shown all of them to be effective in reducing blood pressure. The effect might not be enough for someone with very high blood pressure to completely stop their medications and only use garlic to manage their blood pressure, but it can certainly help. Furthermore, it has far fewer side effects than blood pressure medications.

虽然关于大蒜的哪种形式(生的、片剂的、大蒜油或提取物)最有益还存在争议，但研究表明，所有这些形式的大蒜都能有效降低血压。对于高血压患者来说，这种效果可能不足以让他们完全停止服药，只用大蒜来控制血压，但它确实有帮助。此外，它的副作用远远少于血压药物。

Not only that, but garlic has a host of other known health benefits. "Garlic is an excellent antioxidant, as well as an antibacterial and antifungal herb," Dr. Patrick Fratellone, an integrative cardiologist in New York City, told Livestrong. "There are many studies supporting the use of garlic for heart disease prevention." And, as if we needed more reason, it's delicious, too.

不仅如此，大蒜还有许多其他已知的健康益处。“大蒜是一种极好的抗氧化剂，同时也是一种抗菌和抗真菌的草本植物，”纽约市综合心脏病专家帕特里克·弗拉泰隆博士告诉Livestrong。“有许多研究支持使用大蒜预防心脏病。”而且，如果我们需要更多的理由，它也很美味。