The effect of kiwifruit consumption on blood pressure in subjects with moderately elevated blood pressure: A randomized, controlled study. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Svendsen, Mette; Tonstad, Serena; Heggen, Eli; Pedersen, Terje R.; Seljeflot, Ingebjørg; Bøhn, Siv K.; Bastani, Nasser E.; Blomhoff, Rune; Holme, Ingar M.; Klemsdal, Tor O.
• Is Part Of: Blood pressure. Volume 24:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 48
• Page End: 54
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Blood pressure -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; Blood Pressure -- Periodicals; 612.14
• DOI: 10.3109/08037051.2014.976979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-7051

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Background and aims.</italic> Kiwifruit contains bioactive substances that may lower blood pressure (BP) and improve endothelial function. We examined the effects of adding kiwifruit to the usual diet on 24-h ambulatory BP, office BP and endothelial function. <italic>Methods</italic>. In a parallel-groups study, 118 subjects with high normal BP or stage 1 hypertension (systolic BP 130–159 mmHg and/or diastolic BP 85–99 mmHg) were randomized to intake of three kiwifruits (intervention) or one apple (control) a day for 8 weeks. Office and 24-h ambulatory BP was measured along with biomarkers of endothelial function including metabolites of nitric oxide (NO) formation and finger photo-plethysmography. <italic>Results</italic>. At randomization, mean 24-h ambulatory systolic/diastolic BP was 133 ± 13/82 ± 9 mmHg (<italic>n = </italic>106). After 8 weeks, BP was lower in the group assigned to kiwifruit versus apple intake (between group difference, − 3.6 mmHg [95% CI − 6.5 to − 0.7], <italic>p = </italic>0.017 and − 1.9 mmHg [95% CI − 3.6 to − 0.3]; <italic>p = </italic>0.040, for systolic and diastolic BP, respectively). Changes in office BP and endothelial function did not differ between the groups. <italic>Conclusions</italic>. Among men and women with moderately elevated BP, intake of three kiwifruits was associated with lower systolic and diastolic 24-h BP compared with one apple a day. The effect may be regulated by mechanisms other than improvement of endothelial function.</p> </abstract>