title: Kiwifruit decreases blood pressure and whole-blood platelet aggregation in male smokers.
abstract: Lifestyle modifications to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as blood pressure (BP) and smoking have been emphasized. Fruits and vegetables may modify such risk factors. The major aim of this randomized, controlled trial was to investigate the effects of (1) kiwifruits and (2) an antioxidant-rich diet compared with (3) a control group on BP and platelet aggregation (that is, whole-blood platelet aggregation) after 8 weeks in male smokers (age 44-74 years, n=102). The kiwifruit group received 3 kiwifruits per day, whereas the antioxidant-rich diet group received a comprehensive combination of antioxidant-rich foods. In the kiwifruit group, reductions of 10 mm Hg in systolic BP and 9 mm Hg in diastolic BP were observed (P=0.019 and P=0.016 (change from baseline in the kiwifruit group compared with change from baseline in the control group)). In the antioxidant-rich diet group, a reduction of 10 mm Hg in systolic BP was observed among hypertensives (P=0.045). Additionally, a 15% reduction in platelet aggregation and an 11% reduction in angiotensin-converting enzyme activity was observed in the kiwifruit group (P=0.009 and P=0.034). No effects on these parameters were observed in the antioxidant-rich diet group. This study suggest that intake of kiwifruit may have beneficial effects on BP and platelet aggregation in male smokers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karlsen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Svendsen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Seljeflot
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laake
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Duttaroy
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Drevon
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arnesen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tonstad
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blomhoff
mesh_terms: D029042:Actinidia; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants