Supplements · Metabolic & Cardiometabolic
magnesium decreases blood pressure
In plain terms: Can taking magnesium lower your blood pressure?
Part of: 🧪 magnesium
Modestly—roughly 2–3 mmHg in most people (more in those with hypertension, diabetes or low magnesium), so real but small.
Evidence ladder
How far up the ladder this claim has climbed. A high consensus on a low rung means "consistent so far," not "proven in people."
Top evidence so far: All trials, pooled (Meta-analysis)
How the studies fall
What the evidence shows
Magnesium supplementation produces a **modest** blood-pressure reduction (~2–3 mmHg systolic in normotensives; larger, ~5–6 mmHg, in type-2 diabetics/hypertensives), most reliable at >300 mg/day for >12 weeks. Newer umbrella/pooled reviews note the effect is inconsistent across populations, tempering an otherwise consistent direction. measured_by:: [[blood pressure]]
The evidence (9)
| Source | Grade | Stance | Quality | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eriksson & Kohvakka 1995 · Ann Nutr Metab | RCT | mixed | low | Mg lowered SBP/DBP in insulin-dependent but not non-insulin-dependent diabetics — population-dependent. |
| Zhang et al. 2016 · Hypertension | meta-analysis | supports | moderate | MA 34 double-blind RCTs (n=2028): Mg ~368 mg/d ~3 mo reduced SBP 2.00 / DBP 1.78 mmHg; dose-response, causal inference. |
| Sacks et al. 1998 · Hypertension | RCT | contradicts | moderate | Normotensive women with low mineral intake (RCT): Mg supplements did NOT lower BP (only potassium did). |
| Jee et al. 2002 · Am J Hypertens | meta-analysis | supports | low | MA of RCTs: modest, dose-dependent BP reduction; results heterogeneous across trials. |
| Behers et al. 2024 · Nutrients | meta-analysis | supports | moderate | SR/subgroup MA, general normotensive population: Mg reduced SBP by -2.79 mmHg; dose/duration-optimized analysis. |
| Zhao et al. 2020 · Diabetes Metab Res Rev | meta-analysis | supports | moderate | Same SR/TSA: Mg supplementation also reduced SBP and DBP. |
| Argeros et al. 2025 · Hypertension | meta-analysis | mixed | moderate | 2025 SR/MA (Hypertension): reports of Mg effect on BP inconsistent across hypertensive vs normotensive populations. |
| Asbaghi et al. 2021 · Biol Trace Elem Res | meta-analysis | supports | moderate | MA in T2D: SBP -5.78 mmHg, DBP -2.50 mmHg; significant for >300 mg/day, >12 wk, inorganic forms; no weight/BMI change. |
| Alharran et al. 2024 · Curr Ther Res Clin Exp | meta-analysis | mixed | moderate | Umbrella MA of RCTs: prior meta-analyses gave conflicting BP results; effect present but heterogeneous. |
Disagree, or know a study we missed?
We grade by evidence, not opinions. The way to weigh in is to point us to a study we haven't cited (check the evidence table above first), or to flag a problem with one we have. Every submission is reviewed; if it holds up, the grade updates and shows in Science Changes Its Mind.
Opens a short form. You'll sign in with Google so submissions are tied to a real account — we don't display your identity, and we only accept a link we can verify (PubMed, DOI, ClinicalTrials.gov).
Educational only, not medical advice. Grades and scores reflect published evidence weighted by study design and quality; see the methodology.