Postprandial Antihypertensive Evaluation of Microencapsulated Pomegranate Juice in Women With Mild Hypertension: A Randomized Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Pomegranates are fruits with a high phenol content that have an antihypertensive effect.

OBJECTIVE

This randomized postprandial pilot study evaluated microencapsulated pomegranate juice (MPJ) as a natural antihypertensive agent in patients with mild hypertension.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The content of phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity in fresh pomegranate juice (FPJ) and MPJ was determined. Subsequently, the postprandial antihypertensive effect was evaluated in recruited participants who consumed approximately a 480 kcal breakfast. Four experimental groups with five participants each were evaluated: FPJ, 150 mL fresh juice; MPJ, 20 g MPJ; the participant's usual drug (AH); and 150 mL water (W) with breakfast. Each participant's blood pressure (BP) was measured before and after breakfast at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Changes in BP values were evaluated as a function of time using generalized linear models.

RESULTS

MPJ contained the highest content of phenols (14.84 ± 0.03 mg gallic acid equivalent/g lyophilized FPJ) and flavonoids (9.20 ± 0.50 mg quercetin equivalent/g lyophilized FPJ) compared to FPJ; the latter contained a higher content of anthocyanins (3.06 ± 0.009 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside/g lyophilized FPJ) and had higher antioxidant capacity. In systolic BP, AH showed significant reductions at 60-120 min. Several statistically significant differences in diastolic pressure were observed: MPJ at 30-120 min and FPJ and AH groups at 60-120 min. FPJ exerted an effect similar to AH at 90 min.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest a moderate postprandial antihypertensive effect of MPJ when used as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment. However, the findings do not support its use as a replacement for antihypertensive therapy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT07017296.