(NaturalNews) A naturally occurring plant compound found in onions may reduce high blood pressure if consumed regularly, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Utah and published in the Journal of Nutrition.
Researchers studied 22 adults with hypertension and 19 adults with pre-hypertension, giving them each either a placebo or a 730-milligram supplement of quercetin each day. The blood pressure of the patients with hypertension who were given quercetin decreased by approximately 7 mmHg systolic and 5 mmHg diastolic relative to those who had been given the placebo. Among the pre-hypertension patients, neither the placebo nor quercetin-supplemented groups experienced a significant change in blood pressure.
The study was randomized and double-blind, meaning that neither researchers nor patients knew who was receiving a placebo, and that this had been randomly determined.
Hypertension is defined as having a blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg. The pre-hypertension patients in the study had an average blood pressure of 137/86 mmHg, while the hypertension patients had an average blood pressure of 148/96 mmHg.
"These data are the first to our knowledge to show that quercetin supplementation reduces blood pressure in hypertensive subjects," the researchers said.
Quercetin is in the family of plant chemicals called flavonols, which are known to have antioxidant properties. In the current study, however, quercetin did not appear to cause any changes to the patients' levels of oxidative stress. In some prior animal studies, such an effect has been observed.
The researchers did not conduct tests to determine how quercetin led to the reduction in blood pressure, but they speculated that the chemical may reduce the body's production of a blood-vessel constricting compound called angiotension II.
High blood pressure is associated with more than 7 million deaths each year, in large part due to its connection with cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 34.2 percent of people in the United States suffered from cardiovascular disease in the year 2002.
###
Related Articles
• Blaming dietary sodium for high blood pressure is too simplistic; the real problem may be mineral deficiencies
• Making Multiple Lifestyle Changes is Beneficial, Achievable in Lowering High Blood Pressure (press release)
• Studies show reishi mushrooms benefit people stricken with a variety of ailments, from high blood pressure to AIDS
• Higher Intake of Vegetable Protein and Lower Blood Pressure Levels (press release)
• Higher blood pressure associated with decline in walking ability in older persons (press release)
 |
Additional Resources:
blood pressure
onions
quercetin
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/022987.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
Pharmaceutical Roulette
The Taco Bell e. coli outbreak
|
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|
Printable Version
