Whole Red Grape Juice Reduces Blood Pressure at Rest and Increases Post-exercise Hypotension

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of whole red grape juice (juice) on blood pressure (BP) at rest and on the magnitude of post-exercise hypotension (PEH).

This double-blind, randomized controlled study was performed with 26 individuals with hypertension (40 to 59 years old) who were divided into experimental (n = 14) and control (n = 12) groups. Subsequently, the experimental group was subdivided according to the initial BP values. The subjects performed 2 sessions of aerobic exercise on a treadmill (60 minutes, 60%-85% maximum heart rate), separated by a 28-day period of supplementation with a daily dose of juice (150 ml for men and 100 ml for women) or a control drink. BP was measured before, during, and immediately after each exercise session as well as every 10 minutes during the 60-minute post-exercise recovery period.

The BP at rest did not change in the experimental group, but when this group was subdivided by initial BP, the subjects with controlled initial BP (EGCP) achieved a significant reduction (133.3 ± 5.6 to 114.6 ± 12.2 mmHg, p = 0.02); in contrast, the experimental group with borderline hypertensive BP values (EGBP) did not. Intervention with juice did not modify PEH in the experimental group, but when this group was divided as a function of the initial BP, PEH was potentiated at some times in EGCP.

We conclude that juice promotes a reduction in BP at rest and is also capable of improving PEH in individuals with hypertension, but these effects are dependent on the initial BP values.