High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the most common health problems worldwide.
It affects more than one billion people and is a major cause of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and premature death.
Many people with high blood pressure do not notice any symptoms, which is why it is often called the “silent killer.” Because of the serious health risks linked to hypertension, scientists are constantly looking for new ways to help people lower their blood pressure and protect their hearts.
A new study suggests that quercetin, a natural plant compound found in many fruits and vegetables, may help lower blood pressure in humans.
Quercetin belongs to a group of plant substances called flavonoids. These compounds are responsible for many of the bright colors found in fruits and vegetables.
Quercetin is naturally present in a wide variety of foods, including capers, red onions, kale, apples, berries, grapes, broccoli, and many types of leaves, seeds, and grains. It has a slightly bitter taste and is often added to dietary supplements, drinks, and certain food products.
Scientists have been interested in quercetin for many years because of its possible health benefits. Previous studies have shown that quercetin has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Antioxidants help protect the body’s cells from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Inflammation is another process that can contribute to many diseases when it becomes long-lasting.
Because of these effects, researchers have suggested that quercetin may help reduce swelling, protect against certain cancers, improve blood sugar control, and lower the risk of heart disease. However, studies examining its effects on heart health have produced mixed results, making it difficult to know exactly how beneficial quercetin might be.
To investigate further, researchers from the Hospital of Southern Medical University conducted a large review of existing clinical trials. The study was led by Haohai Huang and his colleagues and was published in the journal Nutrition Reviews.
The researchers analyzed data from 17 clinical trials involving a total of 896 participants. Their goal was to determine whether quercetin supplements affected blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar.
The results showed that quercetin significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the top number in a blood pressure reading and measures the pressure inside the arteries when the heart beats.
Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number and measures the pressure in the arteries while the heart is resting between beats.
Lowering both numbers is important because high readings increase strain on the heart and blood vessels. Over time, this can damage organs throughout the body and increase the risk of serious cardiovascular diseases.
The researchers found that quercetin did not produce large improvements in overall cholesterol levels or blood sugar levels. However, when they examined the data more closely, they discovered some encouraging findings.
Participants who took quercetin supplements for at least eight weeks experienced noticeable improvements in high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
HDL cholesterol is often called “good” cholesterol because it helps carry excess cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be removed from the body. Higher HDL levels are generally linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. The body stores extra calories as triglycerides and uses them for energy between meals. However, consistently high triglyceride levels can contribute to the hardening and thickening of artery walls, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that quercetin supplementation can substantially lower blood pressure and that longer-term use may provide additional benefits for certain blood fats.
However, the scientists also pointed out several limitations. The studies included different types of participants. Some people were healthy, while others had obesity, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes. Because of these differences, it is difficult to determine exactly who may benefit the most from quercetin supplementation.
In addition, the 17 studies differed in their design, participant characteristics, supplement doses, and research methods. These variations make it harder to draw firm conclusions and highlight the need for more carefully designed studies.
The researchers say further studies are needed to better understand how quercetin works in the body and which groups of people may benefit the most.
Even so, the findings are encouraging and suggest that this naturally occurring plant compound could one day become an additional tool for helping people manage high blood pressure and improve heart health.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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