Garlic is a well-known, loved food ingredient, easy to introduce in
daily meal and is moreover good for the cardiovascular system,
according to a new study in US quoted by media reports Wednesday.
(photo: Ce.cn)
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Alabama,
Birmingham, found that garlic is rich in allicin, an organic
polysulphides. When allicin is broken down into sulphur compounds,
these react with red blood cells and produce hydrogen sulphide
which relaxes the blood vessels, keeps blood flowing easily and
prevents blood clots and oxidative damage.
When hydrogen sulphide is at low concentration level, the study
said, it helps cells communicate with each other. Within a blood
vessel, hydrogen sulphite stimulates cells on its lining to relax,
causing the vessel to dilate. In this condition, blood pressure
comes down? enabling blood to carry more oxygen to essential
organs and reduces pressure on the heart.
Hypertension -- high blood pressure -- is known to be a major
risk factor for heart disease. The study, researchers held, may
lead to a standardized garlic diet that may have healing results
for cardiovascular diseases and even cancer.
Lead researcher, Dr. David Kraus from the university, said: "Our
results suggest garlic in the diet is a very good thing. Certainly
in areas where garlic consumption is high, such as the
Mediterranean and the Far East, there is a low incidence of
cardiovascular disease."
(Agencies via Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2007)
