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Garlic is a well-known, loved food
ingredient, easy to introduce in daily meals and is moreover good for the
cardiovascular system, according to a new study in U.S. quoted by media
reports Wednesday. (Photo: Ce.cn)
Photo
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BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Garlic is a well-known, loved
food ingredient, easy to introduce in daily meals and is moreover good for
the cardiovascular system, according to a new study in the United
States quoted by media reports Wednesday.
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)
