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Kiwifruit decreases blood pressure and whole-blood platelet aggregation in male smokers

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 27, pages 126–130 (2013)Cite this article

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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.

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Acknowledgements

Anne Randi Enget and Aud Jørgensen provided help in the laboratory; RB formulated the present hypothesis; MS and ST were responsible for inclusion of participants and their follow-up; CAD was responsible for handling of data on dietary intake; AK, IS and PL were responsible for statistical analysis; and AK was responsible for drafting the manuscript, which was revised and approved by all authors.

Sources of funding: This work was supported by The Throne Holst Foundation, The Norwegian Research Council and The Norwegian Cancer Society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    A Karlsen, A K Duttaroy, C A Drevon & R Blomhoff

  2. Department of Preventive Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway

    M Svendsen & S Tonstad

  3. Department of Cardiology, Center for Clinical Heart Research, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway

    I Seljeflot & H Arnesen

  4. Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    P Laake

  5. Clinic for Cancer, Surgery and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    R Blomhoff

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  1. A Karlsen
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  2. M Svendsen
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  3. I Seljeflot
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  4. P Laake
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  5. A K Duttaroy
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  6. C A Drevon
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  7. H Arnesen
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  8. S Tonstad
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  9. R Blomhoff
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Correspondence to R Blomhoff.

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Competing interests

RB and CAD have an interest in Bioindex AS (established by Birkeland Innovation, the Technology transfer office at the University of Oslo) and Vitas AS (established by the Oslo Innovation Center). Otherwise, the authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Journal of Human Hypertension website

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Karlsen, A., Svendsen, M., Seljeflot, I. et al. Kiwifruit decreases blood pressure and whole-blood platelet aggregation in male smokers. J Hum Hypertens 27, 126–130 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2011.116

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