محمدرضا افشانی

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is rich in phenolics and flavonoids known to improve cardiovascular health. The present randomized, assessor-blind, cross-over study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the effects of raw beetroot juice (RBJ) and cooked beetroot (CB) beetroot juice on endothelial function, blood pressure, and inflammation in subjects with essential hypertension.
24 hypertensive subjects aged 40-65 years were randomly assigned to either 250 mL/day RBJ or 250 mg/day CB for a period of two weeks. After a two-week wash-out period, each subject was assigned to the alternate treatment for another two weeks. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP), flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were measured at baseline and at the end of each period of study, the data were analyzed by software SPSS and SAS.
It is shown hs-CRP and TNF-α were significantly lower and FMD was significantly higher after treatment with RBJ than after CB (P Although both forms of beetroot were effective in improving blood pressure, endothelial function and systemic inflammation, the raw beetroot juice had higher antihypertensive, endothelial function and systemic inflammation effects.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease which is failure in endothelial function and increased arterial stiffness. Pomegranate juice is rich in bioactive polyphenols with antioxidant and cardioprotective functions. Twenty-one hypertensive patients (aged 30-67 years) were recruited into the trial and assigned to receive either PJ (150 ml/day in a single occasion between lunch and dinner; n=11) or the same amount of water (n=10) for a period of two weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP)، diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD)، along with serum concentrations of lipid profile parameters and apolipoproteins A and B were measured at baseline and two weeks after PJ consumption. Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-test for continuous variables. PJ consumption was associated with significant reductions in SBP (p=0. 002) and DBP (p=0. 038) but not FMD (p>0. 05). However، no significant effect was observed from PJ on serum levels of lipid profile parameters and apolipoproteins. PJ has promising acute hypotensive properties. Consumption of PJ could be considered in the context of both dietary and pharmacological interventions for hypertension.

Citrus sinensis juice (CSJ) is a rich source of dietary flavonoids which reduces the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. This study aimed to examine the effects of four-week intake of natural and commercial Citrus sinensis juice on blood pressure (BP) and Flow Mediated Dilation (FMD) in healthy volunteers. In a randomized crossover study, twenty-two healthy subjects in 18–59 years old were divided randomly into two groups: A and B. The volunteers in-group A consumed commercial CSJ for 4-week at first stage and after 2 weeks washout period consumed fresh CSJ. Instead, group B volunteers consumed fresh CSJ for 4-week at first stage and they consumed commercial CSJ (500 mL/day) after 2 weeks washout period. In both groups, BP and FMD were measured at baseline and at the end of 4weeks. Data were analyzed using statistical tests: paired t-test, Independent t-test, and linear mixed model. This study indicated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was decreased (-5.1%) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-5.9%) after intake of commercial CSJ significantly (P<0.05), Whereas consumption of fresh CSJ on DBP and SBP has not significantly effect, On the other hand, FMD in consumed fresh CSJ group has a significant effect (P<0.05). Between the group changes were not significantly observed for non of each factors. Consumption of natural and commercial CSJ are useful to prevent atresceloresis, but the effects of commercial CSJ was higher. Commercial CSJ includes flavonoids, pectin, essence compared to citrus sinensis juice.