Effect of garlic powder supplementation on blood pressure and hs-C-reactive protein among nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Based on the anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive properties of garlic, the current study was designed to evaluate the garlic powder effects on blood pressure and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) among Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease patients (NAFLD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial study was conducted on 110 patients with NAFLD. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, receiving two tablets of either 400 mg garlic or placebo daily for 15 weeks. At baseline and the end of the study, blood pressure and hs-CRP were determined. Of 110 patients enrolled in the trial, 98 subjects were included in the final analysis. After the intervention, systolic blood pressures (SBP) (mean: -7.89; 95CI:-11.39 to -4.39 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (mean: -5.38; 95CI: -7.77 to -3 mm Hg), and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) (mean: -6:95CI: -8.4 to -3.6 mm Hg) decreased significantly in the garlic group as compared to the placebo group. Also, the percentage of reduced hs-CRP was significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control group (mean: -16.1; 95CI: -32.7 to -0.53; p = .035). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between the percentage change in hs-CRP and percentage changes in SBP (r = 0.221; p = .029), DBP (r = 0.166; p = .012), and MAP (r = 0.210; p = .038). Garlic supplementation can be a safe and potentially adjunct treatment to reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disorders in patients with NAFLD.