Whole Red Grape Juice Reduces Blood Pressure at Rest and Increases Post-exercise Hypotension

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2017-10, Vol.36 (7), p.533-540
• Main Authors: Neto, Manoel Miranda, da Silva, Taís F., de Lima, Fabiano F., Siqueira, Thibério M. Q., Toscano, Lydiane T., de Moura, Stephanney K. M. S. F., Silva, Alexandre S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; blood pressure; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Double-Blind Method; exercise; Exercise - physiology; Female; Fruit; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; grape; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension - diet therapy; Hypertension - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Plant Preparations - pharmacology; Plant Preparations - therapeutic use; post-exercise hypotension; Post-Exercise Hypotension - diet therapy; Post-Exercise Hypotension - physiopathology; Rest - physiology; Treatment Outcome; Vitis
• ISSN: 0731-5724; 1541-1087
• DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2017.1331385

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of whole red grape juice (juice) on blood pressure (BP) at rest and on the magnitude of post-exercise hypotension (PEH). Methods: This double-blind, randomized controlled study was performed with 26 individuals with hypertension (40 to 59 years old) who were divided into experimental (n = 14) and control (n = 12) groups. Subsequently, the experimental group was subdivided according to the initial BP values. The subjects performed 2 sessions of aerobic exercise on a treadmill (60 minutes, 60%-85% maximum heart rate), separated by a 28-day period of supplementation with a daily dose of juice (150 ml for men and 100 ml for women) or a control drink. BP was measured before, during, and immediately after each exercise session as well as every 10 minutes during the 60-minute post-exercise recovery period. Results: The BP at rest did not change in the experimental group, but when this group was subdivided by initial BP, the subjects with controlled initial BP (EGCP) achieved a significant reduction (133.3 ± 5.6 to 114.6 ± 12.2 mmHg, p = 0.02); in contrast, the experimental group with borderline hypertensive BP values (EGBP) did not. Intervention with juice did not modify PEH in the experimental group, but when this group was divided as a function of the initial BP, PEH was potentiated at some times in EGCP. Conclusions: We conclude that juice promotes a reduction in BP at rest and is also capable of improving PEH in individuals with hypertension, but these effects are dependent on the initial BP values.