SCIENCE ALERT: Hibiscus & lemon verbena improve obesity linked metabolic parameters in hypertensive patients in a randomized clinical trial (Journal of Functional Foods)

Editor's Note

Patients with early or stage 1 hypertension are increasingly seeking natural products with demonstrated blood pressure-regulating properties. Hibiscus and lemon verbena have both been previously reported to have hypotensive properties in overweight and obese individuals. Researchers here aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive properties of a combination product containing hibiscus and lemon verbena, as well as the effect on anthropometric and circulating parameters in pre-hypertensive and early stage 1 hypertensive patients. Eighty-four non-medicated pre-hypertensive and early stage 1 hypertensive adults participated in a 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants consumed 2 capsules/day containing 250 mg of a high polyphenol combination extract of hibiscus and lemon verbena. In comparison to the placebo group, the extract treatment group showed a significant reduction of average daily systolic/diastolic blood pressure as well as in daytime diastolic/systolic, nighttime diastolic blood pressure and in % dipper. Intergroup analysis revealed that the consumption of the plant extract resulted in a significant reduction of body fat content (−1.26%; p < 0.05) and nocturnal systolic blood pressure (−16.60 mmHg; p < 0.05). The authors suggest the herbal product acts as a main regulator of blood pressure towards healthier values, and therefore may be useful for pre-hypertensive/pre-medicated individuals.

September 2021

Journal of Functional Foods

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2021.104583

Effect of metabolaid^® on pre- and stage 1 hypertensive patients: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Many patients with stage 1 hypertension have difficulties to achieve lifestyle changes to avoid the progression of the disease. The use of natural alternatives with demonstrated blood pressure-regulating properties is instrumental at this stage, avoiding the side effects found in some pharmaceutical drugs. In this context, previous studies have indicated the possibility that a botanical nutraceutical product based on the combination of Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts has hypotensive properties in overweight and obese individuals. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive properties of this dietary supplement, as well as the effect on anthropometric and circulating parameters in pre-hypertensive and early stage 1 hypertensive patients (n = 84). The nutraceutical product, rich in polyphenolic compounds, has been assessed in a 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with pre-hypertensive and early stage 1 hypertensive (non-medicated) individuals. Participants consumed early in the morning in fasting conditions 2 capsules/day containing each one 250 mg of the polyphenolic extracts. Anthropometric and blood parameters as well as punctual and continuous blood pressure monitoring were determined in placebo and experimental groups. As a result and compared to baseline values, volunteers showed a significant reduction of average daily systolic/diastolic blood pressure as well as in daytime diastolic/systolic, nighttime diastolic blood pressure and in % dipper. Intergroup analysis revealed that the consumption of the plant extract resulted in a significant reduction of body fat content (−1.26%; p < 0.05) and nocturnal systolic blood pressure (−16.60 mmHg; p < 0.05) as well as an improvement of the dipper status (3.18%; p < 0.01). In conclusion, these results suggest that the nutraceutical acts as a main regulator of the individual's blood pressure towards healthier values, and therefore may be useful for pre-hypertensive/pre-medicated individuals.