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Hibiscus Tea May Reduce Blood Pressure,
Especially In At-Risk People
Naturally-Rich in Antioxidants and Phytochemicals, a few cups
of hibiscus tea a day may reduce blood pressure and offer
cardiovascular benefits
for people at risk of developing
hypertension, reports a new study from Tufts University.
Three 240 mL servings a day of tea made with hibiscus
(Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were associated with a 7.2 mmHg
reduction in systolic blood pressure and a 3.1 mmHg reduction
in diastolic blood pressure, compared to 1.3 and 0.5 mmHg in
the placebo group, according to findings published in The
Journal of Nutrition.
Researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition
Research Center on Aging at Tufts University report that this
is the first placebo-controlled clinical trial to study if hibiscus
tea, in an amount easily attained from the diet, may affect
blood pressure.
“Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease
and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality,
estimated to account for 35 per cent of myocardial infarction
and stroke, 49 per cent of heart failure, and 24 per cent of
premature mortality,” wrote the researchers,”The dietary change
assessed in this study, i.e. regularly incorporating 3 servings/d
of hibiscus tea into the diet, effectively reduces blood pressure
in pre- and mildly-hypertensive adults.
“This strategy may be useful in preventing the progression to
moderate or more severe hypertension, potentially reducing
the subsequent risk of developing cardiovascular disease,”
they added.
The researchers recruited 65 adult with pre-hypertension and
mild hypertension, and aged between 30 and 70, to participate
in the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Subjects were randomly assigned to consume either three
servings of brewed hibiscus tea per day or a placebo drink for
six weeks. At the end of the study people in the hibiscus tea
group displayed an average reduction of 7.2 mmHg in their
systolic blood pressure, compared to 1.3 mmHg in the placebo
group. A slight but not significant decrease in diastolic blood
pressure was also recorded in the hibiscus tea group.
The benefits of hibiscus tea appeared to be greater in people
who had higher systolic blood pressure at the start of the study.
Previous studies indicated that hibiscus may act by relaxing
blood vessel. This beneficial action may be linked to calcium
channels, or inhibition of the angiotensin converting enzyme
(ACE), preventing vasoconstriction.
There is also evidence in the scientific literature that hibiscus
may act as a diuretic. Another possible explanantion for the
apparent benefits is related to the anthocyanin content of
Hibiscus sabdariffa.
“The specific attributes of H. sabdariffa to cardiovascular
health, including its ability to lower BP and its potential
hypocholesterolemic effects, are not well understood and
further research in this area is warranted,” added the
researchers.
Source: Journal of Nutrition
February 2010, Volume 140, Issue 2, Pages 298-303
“Hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea (tisane) lowers blood pressure
in pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults”
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The Natural Nutritional Way?
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