A study conducted by researchers at the University of Bonn suggests that a natural extract from red onion skin, called quercetin, may help reduce high blood pressure in overweight and obese individuals.
Quercetin is a flavonol—a type of polyphenol—commonly found in fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, and other plant-based foods.
Foods such as capers, red onions, and kale are especially rich in this compound.
Previous research has shown that quercetin has anti-hypertensive properties, meaning it can help lower blood pressure and potentially reduce the risk of heart disease.
The current study aimed to determine whether regular quercetin intake could reduce blood pressure in overweight and obese individuals with pre-hypertension or Stage I hypertension.
The researchers tested 70 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either 162 mg per day of quercetin from onion skin extract powder or a placebo for six weeks. They measured both ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and office blood pressure before and after the intervention.
Results showed that in the subgroup of participants with high blood pressure, quercetin reduced 24-hour systolic blood pressure by 3.6 mmHg compared to the placebo. Quercetin also strongly reduced both daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressure in this group.
Interestingly, the researchers found that quercetin supplementation did not affect blood pressure biomarkers, oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid levels, or glucose metabolism in either the total sample or the high blood pressure subgroup.
Overall, the researchers concluded that supplementing with 162 mg/day of quercetin from onion skin extract powder may help lower blood pressure, suggesting a potential protective effect on heart health.
These findings are especially important because high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. According to the World Health Organization, high blood pressure affects nearly 1 billion people worldwide and contributes to about 8 million deaths each year.
While the study was relatively small and additional research is needed to confirm these results, it provides promising evidence that quercetin may be a useful natural supplement for managing high blood pressure, particularly in overweight and obese individuals.
In conclusion, the study from the University of Bonn suggests that quercetin—a natural compound found in red onion skin—may help reduce high blood pressure in overweight and obese people.
The research was published in the British Journal of Nutrition and conducted by Verena Brüll and colleagues.
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