The Effects of a Multi-Flavonoid Supplement on Vascular and Hemodynamic Parameters in Older Pre-Hypertensives

Antioxidants have been shown to increase vasodilation, increasing vascular distensibility and decreasing blood pressure (BP) in individuals with elevated BP; therefore an additive effect would be expected when combined with exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential additive effects of an acute aerobic exercise bout paired with two weeks of anti-oxidant supplementation on post-exercise BP in middle-aged pre-hypertensives. Methods: 18 middle-aged subjects were randomly assigned to either the supplement or the placebo group in double-blinded fashion. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), Augmentation Index (AIx), central and peripheral pulse wave velocity (cPWV and pPWV, respectively) were assessed pre- and post-exercise prior to and following 2 weeks of supplementation in a double-blind design. Results: Following two weeks of supplementation, there was a significant decrease in SBP (132.2 ± 5.4 pre-supplementation to 124.9 ± 5.4 post-, p < 0.05) and MAP (100.2 ± 2.2 pre-supplementation to 94.6 ± 4.4 post-, p < 0.05). No significant differences were shown in DBP, AIx, cPWV, or pPWV. Conclusion: Two weeks of multi-flavonoid supplementation elicited a significant decrease in SBP and MAP in the treatment group with no changes in vascular parameters.