USE OF PRUNES AS A CONTROL OF HYPERTENSION
Abstract
Background: Fruits and vegetables are shown to reduce blood pressure. It is not merely theantioxidants contained in fruits and vegetables that have health benefits such as lowered systolicand diastolic blood pressures. This study was undertaken to see the cardiovascular protectiveeffects of prunes. Methods: A placebo controlled clinical trial study was designed to see theeffects of Prunus domestica on blood pressure in 259 pre-hypertensive (Systolic BP=120–139mmHg, diastolic BP=80–89 mmHg) volunteers. Treated groups drank prune juice and ate thewhole fruit (dried plums) while either 3 (about 11.5 gm) or 6 prunes were soaked overnight in aglass of water whereas control group took only a glass of plain water early in the morning onempty stomach. Blood pressure was recorded fortnightly for 8 weeks, and blood samples weretaken at 0 and 8 weeks. Results: There was significant reduction of blood pressure by single doseof prunes daily group and the controls (p<0.05). With the double dose of prunes, only systolic BPwas reduced significantly (p<0.05). Control group had significantly increased serum HDLwhereas test groups had significantly reduced serum cholesterol and LDL (p<0.05). Data wasanalysed by paired-sample t-test with 95% confidence interval. Conclusion: The data predictscardiovascular protective effects of prunes.Keywords: Plums, Prunus domestica, blood pressure, lipid profile, pre-hypertensive patientsReferences
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