Plant pigment can significantly reduce blood pressure

The new review has concluded that the intake of flavonoid quercetin can greatly reduce high blood pressure  in patients suffering from cardiovascular disease .

The review ,published in Nutrition reviews ,points out that cardiovascular disease is increasing in prevalence at an unprecedented rate and is thought  to account for more than 17.3 million deaths and nearly US $863billion annually .

Prior evidence has suggested that ingestion of quercetin –a plant pigment found in foods such as onions ,teas ,apples and red wine-confers health
Promoting effects such as anticoagulatory ,anti-inflammatory ,antihyoertensive ,and antihyperglycemic activies and has positive effects on disorders of lipid metabolism .

Several clinical trials examining the influence of quercetin supplementation on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases ,especially CVD,have been completed .

Led by Haohai Huang , the team reviewed 17 studies ,with a total of 886 partici[ants ,that assessed the impact of quercetin on blood pressure and glucose levels . Each study assessed blood glucose ,total cholesterol ,and /or insulin .

The pooled result from 13 treatment arms through the studies showed that quercetin markedly reduced systolic bold pressure .

Participants who consumed quercetin for eight weeks or more showed significantly changed levels of high –density lipoprotein cholesterol .

The review concluded that a reduction in blood pressure of more than 10 mmHg lowers cardiovascular risk by 50% for heat failure ,35%-40% for stoke ,and approximately 20%~25% for myocardial infarction .


(Note: this article is from “nutraingredients “ by Nikki hancocks )