Effects of Strawberry Consumption on Vascular Parameters in Pre‐ and Stage 1‐Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial

Abstract

Though previous clinical, epidemiological, and preclinical research findings indicate that strawberries are cardioprotective, few clinical studies have reported the effects of strawberry consumption on blood pressure (BP) and vascular function. Since hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and approximately 75% of postmenopausal women in the United States are hypertensive, we conducted an 8‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical study to investigate the effects of daily consumption of 25 g of freeze‐dried strawberry powder (FDSP) on blood pressure and vascular function in pre‐ and stage 1‐hypertensive postmenopausal women. Forty‐seven postmenopausal women (age: 59 ± 6 years; body mass index: 31.5 ± 4.1 kg/m2, systolic BP: 140 ± 13 mmHg, diastolic BP: 80 ± 7 mmHg) were randomly assigned into one of two groups (final n = 20/group): 1) placebo‐control, 2) 25g of freeze‐dried strawberry powder (FDSP; equivalent to 1½ cups). After eight weeks, systolic BP (135 ± 14 mmHg), mean arterial pressure (103 ± 9 mmHg), pulse pressure (56 ± 10 mmHg), and baPWV and faPWV (1,480 cm/s and 1,039 cm/s, respectively) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than baseline levels in the strawberry group while only pulse pressure was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the placebo group (54 ± 7 mmHg). These findings suggest that daily consumption of strawberries may improve vascular function; however, further research is warranted.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by the California Strawberry Commission.