Insights & Discussion
Consuming a honey-based gel, such as 'Bear Strength honey gel,' led to a notable reduction in diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, with gender-specific improvements in redox status among healthy adults.
The study included 20 healthy participants (10 men, 10 women) who incorporated 70g of 'Bear Strength honey gel' into their daily diet for 14 days. Physiological parameters (weight, height, BMI, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, resting heart rate, and blood pressure) and hematological data were evaluated before and after consumption. Redox biomarkers, including Glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyls (PCARBS), and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), were measured.
Post-consumption, the honey-based gel showed a significant decrease in diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, particularly in women. However, no significant changes were observed in other physiological or hematological variables. Notably, GSH levels increased in both genders, TAC increased universally, and TBARS levels decreased in the total group and women. PCARBS levels decreased exclusively in the women's group. These findings highlight the honey-based gel's potential positive impact on blood pressure and redox status, emphasizing gender-specific effects in healthy adults.
Discover Related Insights
Natural calcium-rich mineral waters offer a bioavailable calcium source, beneficial for bone health, cardiovascular function, weight management, and overall well-being.
2023 Nutrients Exploring the Potential Benefits of Natural Calcium-Rich Mineral Waters for Health and Wellness: A Systematic Review Pop MS, Cheregi DC, Onose G, Munteanu C, Popescu C, Rotariu M, et al.
Systematic Review Bone Health Calcium High Blood Pressure
This systematic review analyzed peer-reviewed articles, clinical trials, and experimental studies from the past decade. It focused on the health benefits of calcium-rich mineral waters, especially for individuals with lactose intolerance or on plant-based diets. The review process assessed the contribution of these waters to daily calcium intake and their bioavailability compared to other calcium sources.
The review found that natural mineral waters high in calcium can significantly enhance calcium intake, with improved absorption rates. These waters show promise in promoting bone health and cardiovascular function, including potential reductions in blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk. Some evidence suggests benefits in weight management. However, the review highlighted the need for further research on interactions with other dietary components, effects on specific health conditions, and long-term consumption impacts. Despite these gaps, calcium-rich mineral waters are recognized as a valuable dietary calcium source for a diverse population.
Heavy coffee consumption increases the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in individuals with severe hypertension, while green tea consumption does not.
2023 Journal of the American Heart Association Coffee and Green Tea Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Among People With and Without Hypertension Teramoto M, Yamagishi K, Muraki I, Tamakoshi A, Iso H
Cohort Study Green Tea High Blood Pressure
With the use of the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study, researchers assessed 18,609 participants, both male and female, aged between 40 to 79 years. These participants had varying blood pressure levels, categorized into optimal and normal BP, high-normal BP, and two stages of hypertension. They completed a questionnaire about their lifestyle, diet, and medical history, and underwent health examinations, which were followed up until 2009. The association of coffee and green tea consumption on cardiovascular disease mortality was then calculated using a Cox proportional hazard model.
It was found over an 18.9 year follow-up period that heavy coffee consumption was linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality among those suffering from the second to third grade of hypertension. In stark contrast, people with optimal and normal, high-normal blood pressure and first grade hypertension did not show such associations between coffee consumption and cardiovascular disease mortality. Interestingly, the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality was not found to be increased across any blood pressure categories in relation to green tea consumption.
Pomegranate extract consumption improves antioxidant levels, reduces oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure and body fat, and increases lean body mass.
2022 Antioxidants Antioxidant Properties and Beneficial Cardiovascular Effects of a Natural Extract of Pomegranate in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Preliminary Single-Blind Controlled Study Al-Dujaili EAS, Casey C, Stockton A
Randomised Controlled Trial Cardiovascular Disease High Blood Pressure
In the study, 24 healthy participants were divided into two groups: one consumed a natural standardized pomegranate extract, while the other, a placebo, in a randomized, single-blind placebo-controlled trial. Evaluations were conducted at baseline and post 14 and 28 days of the experiment, with variables including anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, pulse wave speed, body composition, as well as the levels of salivary and urinary cortisol, cortisone, total phenolics, antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxidation.
The results indicated significant increases in urinary total phenolics excretion and antioxidant capacity after 14 and 28 days of pomegranate extract intake. By day 28, notable decreases were noted in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, body fat and fat mass, and an increase in lean body mass. In terms of glucocorticoid levels, there was a marked decrease in saliva cortisol at day 28 in the morning for the pomegranate extract group, along with a decrease in the cortisol/cortisone ratio following 28 days of pomegranate extract intake at morning, noon, and evening. Reductions were also seen in urine free cortisol levels by day 14. These observations were unique to the pomegranate extract group, with no significant changes noted in the placebo group.
Adzuki bean extracts have shown more potential than black soybean extracts in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive rats, acting on the renin-angiotensin system.
2021 Foods Black Soybean and Adzuki Bean Extracts Lower Blood Pressure by Modulating the Renin-Angiotensin System in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Jeong EW, Park SY, Yang YS, Baek YJ, Yun DM, Kim HJ, et al.
Animal Study Adzuki Bean Black Soybean High Blood Pressure
The methodology used in this research involved the administration of varying volumes of black soybean and adzuki bean ethanol extracts to seven groups of rats, which included one group of normal rats and six groups of spontaneously hypertensive rats. The purpose of the extracts was to explore their antihypertensive effects on aspects such as blood pressure, the renin-angiotensin system, and aortic lesions.
The results revealed that black soybean and adzuki bean extracts significantly reduced various biomarkers such as liver weight, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure. On a comparative basis, the adzuki bean extracts (AE) demonstrated a greater antihypertensive potential than black soybean extracts (BE). Specifically, the angiotensin II level and blood pressure in the AE-treated group were lower than those in the BE-treated group, leading to the conclusion that AE exhibits higher antihypertensive potential.
Isoflavones found in soybeans can reduce risks of certain cancers and alleviate menopause-related symptoms among women, such as vasomotor syndromes, spinal bone loss, and hypertension.
2021 International Journal of Molecular Sciences Utilization of Isoflavones in Soybeans for Women with Menopausal Syndrome: An Overview Chen LR, Chen KH
Systematic Review High Blood Pressure Menopause
The study overviewed soybeans' chemical composition and focused mainly on isoflavones. The research examined the processes of soybean preparation that includes cleaning, drying, crushing, and dehulling, and extraction methods to derive various soy products, particularly focusing on isoflavones - daidzein, genistein, and S-equol. Various soy products such as refined soy oil, soy lecithin, free fatty acids, glycerol, and soybean meal were discussed, along with the presence of the minor biological constituents in remaining components.
The study explored the relationship between isoflavone consumption and disease prevention, particularly in relation to heart disease, cancer incidence—of the breast, bladder, and endometrial and colorectal—and menopause-related symptoms. The therapeutic effects of isoflavones were studied in the context of vasomotor syndromes, spinal bone loss, hypertension regulation, depressive symptoms during pregnancy, and in vitro glycemic control. In contrast, it failed to find definitive effects of isoflavones on cognition improvement and urogenital symptoms. The inconsistencies in defining the ingredients, doses, study durations, and outcomes of isoflavone studies proved challenging for the research.
Sign In
Users not signed in are limited to viewing the 5 most recent items of content.