Blueberry Consumption Improves Vascular Function and Lowers Blood Pressure in Postmenopausal Women With Pre- and Stage 1-hypertension
Completed · Phase 2 · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Blood Pressure
In brief
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. Americans have been more concerned about their blood cholesterol levels and dietary cholesterol intakes rather than their overall cardiovascular health risk factors leading to CVD such as hypertension, vascular dysfunction, inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical activity. Statistics show that approximately 91% of individuals with CVD have vascular dysfunction which is attributed to endothelial and autonomic dysfunction leading to increased arterial stiffness. The investigators long-term goal is to provide feasible and effective dietary ways for pre- and stage 1- hypertensive individuals to normalize their blood pressure (BP), improve vascular function and thereby reducing their cardiovascular risk and enhancing the quality of life. Blueberries are a rich source of phenolic compounds and these compounds may play an important role in promoting cardiovascular health. Considering the strong possibility that phytochemicals present in blueberry work additively or synergistically, it would be ideal to investigate the cardioprotective effects of blueberry as a whole. The investigators overall objective to bring forth evidence that blueberry consumption will reduce BP and cardiovascular risk factors including endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and autonomic dysfunction in pre- and stage 1-hypertensive postmenopausal women. The investigators hypothesize that blueberry supplementation will improve vascular function and will lower blood pressure in postmenopausal women with pre-hypertension. The findings of this study will provide a foundation for disseminating feasible, safe approaches for preventing and combating hypertension at its early stage which does not require drug therapy.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT01686282
- Run by
- Florida State University
- People needed
- 48
- Starts
- 2012-01-01
- Expected to finish
- 2014-01-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2015-01-14
Who can join
Age: 45 and older, up to 65. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- 40 women (1 to 10 years after natural menopause or bilateral oophorectomy) 45-65 years of age.
- Seated blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mm Hg but ≤ 160/90 mm Hg.
You may not qualify if…
- Blood pressure >160/100 mmHg
- Taking insulin
- Cardiovascular disease
- Active cancer
- Asthma
- Glaucoma
- Thyroid disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreatic disease
- Enrollment in a weight loss program
- Heavy smokers (>20 cigarettes per day)
Where it is running
- The Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University — Tallahassee, Florida, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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