1 detailed study records

Key findings from detailed records

A meta-analysis of 34 randomized trials involving 2,028 participants found small blood-pressure reductions with magnesium versus placebo: approximately 2.00 mmHg systolic and 1.78 mmHg diastolic. Baseline status, formulation and dose help interpret this average. PMID 27402922

Edited by LÍFSVARÐASources reviewed: Updated: Estimated reading time: 6 min

KNOWLEDGE RECORD

Category
Vitamins and minerals
Last Reviewed

Names and related search termsMagnesium / Magnesium / Mg / Elemental magnesium

Study type: meta-analysis.

Explore 10 papers by research question ↓

OUTCOME-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE

Scientific Evidence Profile

Assessment pending

An outcome-specific assessment has not yet been completed. This is not a finding that the ingredient is ineffective. The study records below remain available.

This profile concerns the stated outcome and population, not the ingredient as a whole. It is not a probability of benefit, a safety rating, a product efficacy rating or an indication of product adoption.

How we assess evidence

Ingredient Profile

What is it, and where is it found?
Magnesium is an essential mineral. Nuts, legumes and whole grains provide it. “Elemental magnesium” describes the magnesium amount, not the weight of the whole salt. [1]
Sources for this profile

Compound properties and formulation properties are different. These sources do not establish the efficacy of a finished supplement.

  1. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Magnesium Nutrient identity and food-source reference. Published by NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Reference synthesis; not an individual clinical trial.

Profile sources checked:

Read the evidence in context
  • Evidence: what was measured in the stated population or experimental model.
  • Inference: an interpretation connecting findings; its applicability depends on the study conditions.
  • Hypothesis: a proposed explanation or effect that remains to be tested.

Research Evidence · Scientific Synthesis

Why It Matters #

How much does supplementation change blood pressure? Check the detailed records for study conditions and use the literature map to compare other populations and outcomes.

What Was Studied #

34 trials involving 2,028 participants, including normotensive and hypertensive people.

Meta-analysis of double-blind RCTs · Median 3 months PMID 27402922

What Was Found #

The differences versus placebo were approximately −2.00 mmHg systolic and −1.78 mmHg diastolic. The pooled analysis showed small reductions. PMID 27402922

What the Evidence Means #

Heterogeneity in trial conditions remains. Changes in blood pressure do not directly establish reductions in myocardial infarction or mortality. PMID 27402922

What We Can Learn #

Across trials, magnesium produced a small average blood-pressure reduction. The median study dose was 368 mg/day for three months; baseline intake and status help explain why an average is not an individual prediction.

What Remains Unknown #

Further questions include reproducibility across populations and formulations, and the long-term balance of benefits and harms. Use the literature map as a starting point for these questions.

LITERATURE MAP / 10 PAPERS

Compare papers by conditions and findings.

A literature map covering different populations, outcomes and formulations. Read alongside detailed records to avoid treating one trial as the conclusion for an entire ingredient.

Selected: 2026-09-21. Bibliographic information checked against Europe PMC / PubMed. Editorial selection considered major papers and a range of populations and questions. This is not a systematic search covering all recent research.

11 RECORDS

A dash marks fields outside the bibliographic record. Use detailed records to compare findings and design records to connect mechanisms.

Research comparison table
Paper and topicStudy conditionsFindings and scope
Mechanism and designModulation of oxidative phosphorylation by Mg2+ in rat heart mitochondria PMID 9525878 #Study conditions

Isolated rat heart mitochondria / ATP production

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Findings and scope

The study altered free mitochondrial Mg²⁺ to examine effects on oxidative phosphorylation. It provides a basis for considering energy metabolism, including Mg-ATP.

Blood pressureEffects of Magnesium Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials.2016 Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)PMID 27402922 #Study conditions

Meta-analysis of double-blind RCTs

Population
34 trials involving 2,028 participants, including normotensive and hypertensive people.
Dose
Median 368 mg/day
Duration
Median 3 months
Outcomes
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Findings and scope

The differences versus placebo were approximately −2.00 mmHg systolic and −1.78 mmHg diastolic. The pooled analysis showed small reductions.

View findings and limitations

DOI

Authors

Zhang X, Li Y, Del Gobbo LC, Rosanoff A, Wang J, Zhang W et al.

Oral magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic subjects: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.2003 Diabetes carePMID 12663588 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Rodríguez-Morán M, Guerrero-Romero F

Oral magnesium therapy improves endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease.2000 CirculationPMID 11067788 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Shechter M, Sharir M, Labrador MJ, Forrester J, Silver B, Bairey Merz CN

Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: results from a prospective, multi-center, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study.1996 Cephalalgia : an international journal of headachePMID 8792038 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Peikert A, Wilimzig C, Köhne-Volland R

Oral magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic subjects with insulin resistance. A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial.2004 Diabetes & metabolismPMID 15223977 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Guerrero-Romero F, Tamez-Perez HE, González-González G, Salinas-Martínez AM, Montes-Villarreal J, Treviño-Ortiz JH et al.

Oral magnesium oxide prophylaxis of frequent migrainous headache in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.2003 HeadachePMID 12786918 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Wang F, Van Den Eeden SK, Ackerson LM, Salk SE, Reince RH, Elin RJ

Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial.2017 PloS onePMID 28654669 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Tarleton EK, Littenberg B, MacLean CD, Kennedy AG, Daley C

Oral Magnesium Supplementation in Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3 and 4: Efficacy, Safety, and Effect on Serum Calcification Propensity-A Prospective Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.2017 Kidney international reportsPMID 29142966 #Study conditions

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Bressendorff I, Hansen D, Schou M, Silver B, Pasch A, Bouchelouche P et al.

Oral magnesium supplementation reduces insulin resistance in non-diabetic subjects - a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.2011 Diabetes, obesity & metabolismPMID 21205110 #Study conditions

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Mooren FC, Krüger K, Völker K, Golf SW, Wadepuhl M, Kraus A

Magnesium supplementation helps to improve carotid intima media thickness in patients on hemodialysis.2008 International urology and nephrologyPMID 18568412 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Turgut F, Kanbay M, Metin MR, Uz E, Akcay A, Covic A

The literature map is an index of research questions and references. Individual assessment of results, doses, funding and COI is limited to the detailed study records. Related reports from the same trial may be included; paper counts are not counts of independent trials.

Explore the research Study Records

Listed doses describe study conditions, not recommended intake.

Study RecordPMID 27402922

Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials.

PubMed 27402922DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.116.07664

Authors
Zhang X, Li Y, Del Gobbo LC, Rosanoff A, Wang J, Zhang W, Song Y.
Journal
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
Publication year
2016
Study design
Meta-analysis of double-blind RCTs
Participants
34 trials involving 2,028 participants, including normotensive and hypertensive people.
Dose and intervention
Median 368 mg/day
Duration
Median 3 months
Outcomes and their role in the study
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Findings
The differences versus placebo were approximately −2.00 mmHg systolic and −1.78 mmHg diastolic. The pooled analysis showed small reductions.
Limitations
Heterogeneity in trial conditions remains. Changes in blood pressure do not directly establish reductions in myocardial infarction or mortality.
Funding
Supported by the Indiana University Health–Indiana University School of Medicine Strategic Research Initiative (X. Zhang and Y. Song).
Conflict of Interest
The authors declared no conflicts of interest in the primary author manuscript.
Scope of source review
Relevant methods, pooled results, limitations, funding and disclosures checked in the university-hosted author manuscript on 2026-10-24.

Cite this page

LÍFSVARÐA. Magnesium: How much does supplementation change blood pressure? / Updated 2026-10-24

https://lifsvarda.com/knowledge/magnesium/

Edited by LÍFSVARÐA (product brand).Editorial policy

Safety and interactions

Compare products by elemental magnesium, not the weight of the magnesium compound. Count supplements and magnesium-containing laxatives or antacids together. Excess supplemental magnesium commonly causes diarrhea; impaired kidney function increases the risk of accumulation and toxicity. Magnesium can reduce absorption of certain antibiotics and oral bisphosphonates. A pharmacist can advise on appropriate timing.

NIH ODS — Magnesium

Safety section reviewed: 2026-10-24.

Sources and updates

  1. Zhang X, Li Y, Del Gobbo LC, Rosanoff A, Wang J, Zhang W, Song Y. (2016). Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials.Relevant methods, pooled results, limitations, funding and disclosures checked in the university-hosted author manuscript on 2026-10-24.

2026-10-11: Human-study coverage, findings and comparisons reviewed. Source-review scope is stated for each study.

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