Grape seed extract supports blood pressure health, study shows
Highlights
- Grape seed extract helps maintain blood pressure in the normal range
- Effective dosage is 300 mg/day for 2 months
- Mean blood pressure reduction is 8 mmHg (systolic), 5 mmHg (diastolic)
Summary
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 32 men and women, mean age 50-54 years, with pre-hypertension indicates that taking grape seed extract (GSE) (300 mg/day) for 8 weeks lowers blood pressure.
At the end of 8 weeks, GSE significantly (P<.05) lowered both systolic blood pressure (from 133+2 to 125+2 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (from 79+2 to 74+2 mmHg) while placebo treatment had no effect. No changes in body weight, blood counts, serum electrolytes and chemistry and glucose values were reported during the course of the study. There were also no changes in the serum total, LDL and HDL cholesterol values in either group.
These findings suggest that a daily supplement of GSE (300 mg) for 8 weeks may help maintain blood pressure in the normal range in adults with pre-hypertension.