Garlic has been known to help keeping cholesterol under control. A new study is now suggesting supplements of the pungent herb may be useful in reducing high blood pressure as well. The study, which itself was a review of 11 pervious studies, found regular intake of garlic supplements to be useful in reducing high blood pressure levels. The researchers from The University of Adelaide in South Australia analyzed 11 studies where patients were assigned to either take garlic supplements or a placebo.

大蒜以降低胆固醇而出名。一项新的研究表明，刺激性草本植物的补充对降低高血压也是有用的。这项研究是对以前11项研究的回顾，研究发现经常补充大蒜的摄入有利于降低高血压水平。来自位于南澳大利亚的阿德莱德大学的研究人员对这十一项研究进行了分析，研究中患者被分为两组：一组服用大蒜，一组服用安慰剂。

In a majority of the 11 studies, the doses of garlic supplementation were 600 mg to 900 mg daily. Most participants also took it on powdered form.

十一项研究中，大多数的进补量为每日600－900毫克。多数参与者还服用粉剂。

Overall garlic supplements were responsible for reducing systolic blood pressure by 4.6 mm Hg, on average. When the researchers examined patients with high blood pressure only, they found garlic supplements reduced systolic blood pressure by 8.4 mm Hg, on average, and diastolic blood pressure by 7.3 mm Hg.

全部进补大蒜者收缩压平均降低 4.6 mm Hg。当研究人员对只患有高血压的病人进行检查时，他们发现进补大蒜平均降低收缩压 8.4 mm Hg，舒张压7.3 mm Hg。

Systolic blood pressure denotes the upper reading, while diastolic blood pressure denotes lower reading. Normal blood pressure levels are usually considered to be 120/80 mm of Hg (Mercury).

收缩压表示为上面的读数；而舒张压表示为下面的读数。人们认为正常的血压水平为120/80 mm汞柱。

In the current study researchers found the higher a person's blood pressure levels, the more significant effect garlic supplements had.

在当前的研究中，研究人员发现，一个人的血压水平越高，进补大蒜的作用越显著。

Reporting in the journal BMC Cardiovascular disorders, lead researcher Dr Karin Ried, of Adelaide University in South Australia, and colleagues said the effects of garlic were similar to widely used anti0hypertensive medicines like beta blockers.

报告发表在《英国医学委员会心血管疾病杂志》上，研究小组组长--来自位于南澳大利亚的阿德莱德大学的卡林*里德博士及其同事们在报告中说，大蒜的作用与广泛应用的象β受体阻滞剂那样的降压药相似。

Called Allium sativum, garlic is one of the most studied herbs in relation to heart benefits. Since times immemorial its potential heart benefits have been touted, but no conclusive evidence has emerged.

大蒜是被研究得最多的有利于心脏的草本植物之一。自远古时代起，其可能利于心脏的作用就受到吹捧，但结论性的证据尚未出现。

According to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, garlic is also used to prevent certain types of cancer, including stomach and colon cancers, but there is no scientific evidence to support this theory. Garlic might also be used in preventing the development of atherosclerosis, which hardens arteries and is the first step in the development of heart disease.

据美国国家补充替代医学中心报告，大蒜还用于预防包括胃癌和结肠癌在内的某种类型的癌症，但没有科学依据支持这一理论。大蒜可能还被用于防止动脉硬化症的发展，该病使动脉变硬，也是心脏病发展的第一步。

Garlic must be used with caution in people who have a bleeding disorder, because it is a powerful blood thinner. Other side effects include bad breath, body odor, heartburn, upset stomach, and allergic reactions.

大蒜必须谨慎用于患有出血性疾病的人，因为它是一种强有力的血液稀释剂。其它副作用为：口臭、体臭、胃灼烧、肚子痛、以及过敏反应。

If results of the above study are duplicated in larger trials, then people with high blood pressure may have a natural vegetable/herb for reducing their hypertension status.

如果以上研究在大规模试验中得到证实，那么高血压患者则会有一种天然的蔬菜（或草本植物）来改善高血压状况。