A new study, titled "The Effect of Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract on Gut Microbiota, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Markers in Hypertensives: The GarGIC Trial," by Karin Ried et al, found that Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) is effective at reducing blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed on 49 adults with uncontrolled hypertension. The participants were randomly sorted into two groups: the treatment arm, which received two capsules daily of Kyolic AGE, and the placebo arm, which received two placebo capsules containing inert cellulose daily. The trial lasted 12 weeks. Every four weeks, participants had appointments for blood pressure and cardiovascular measurement. Stool microbial analysis was performed at baseline and 12 weeks.

The study found that Kyolic AGE significantly lowered systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo. The study also found that those taking standard blood pressure medication along with the AGE revealed a slightly greater reduction in systolic blood pressure, although the small sample size limits interpretability.

The researchers noted that the average blood pressure reduction by AGE, whether alone or in combination with other blood pressure medications, is comparable to conventional standard drug therapies, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by 30-40%.

That being said, the researchers also suggested that vitamins B12, B6, and folate may play a role in the responsiveness to garlic on blood pressure, although those were not assessed in the trial.

The study finished by stating that larger, long-term studies looking at the correlation between blood pressure and gut microbiota are necessary.