title: The effect of kiwifruit consumption on blood pressure in subjects with moderately elevated blood pressure: a randomized, controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Kiwifruit contains bioactive substances that may lower blood pressure (BP) and improve endothelial function. We examined the effects of adding kiwifruit to the usual diet on 24-h ambulatory BP, office BP and endothelial function.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a parallel-groups study, 118 subjects with high normal BP or stage 1 hypertension (systolic BP 130-159 mmHg and/or diastolic BP 85-99 mmHg) were randomized to intake of three kiwifruits (intervention) or one apple (control) a day for 8 weeks. Office and 24-h ambulatory BP was measured along with biomarkers of endothelial function including metabolites of nitric oxide (NO) formation and finger photo-plethysmography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At randomization, mean 24-h ambulatory systolic/diastolic BP was 133 ± 13/82 ± 9 mmHg (n = 106). After 8 weeks, BP was lower in the group assigned to kiwifruit versus apple intake (between group difference, - 3.6 mmHg [95% CI - 6.5 to - 0.7], p = 0.017 and - 1.9 mmHg [95% CI - 3.6 to - 0.3]; p = 0.040, for systolic and diastolic BP, respectively). Changes in office BP and endothelial function did not differ between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among men and women with moderately elevated BP, intake of three kiwifruits was associated with lower systolic and diastolic 24-h BP compared with one apple a day. The effect may be regulated by mechanisms other than improvement of endothelial function.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Section for Preventive Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Svendsen
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tonstad
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heggen
authors.forename: Terje R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Ingebjørg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Seljeflot
authors.forename: Siv K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bøhn
authors.forename: Nasser E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Bastani
authors.forename: Rune
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blomhoff
authors.forename: Ingar M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Holme
authors.forename: Tor O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Klemsdal
mesh_terms: D029042:Actinidia; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide
keywords: Ambulatory blood pressure; NO formation; endothelial function