Alternative Health Blog

In a double-blind, crossover study involving 54 subjects with moderate uncontrolled hypertension being treated with one or two anti-hypertensive drugs, supplementation with a standardized tomato extract for a period of 6 weeks was found to reduce systolic blood pressure by more than 10 mm Hg and reduce diastolic blood pressure by more than 5 mm Hg. Lycopene levels increased from 0.11 mumol/L at baseline to 0.30 mumol/L after supplementation, and a significant association was found between systolic blood pressure and lycopene levels. No adverse effects were reported. The authors conclude, "Tomato extract when added to patients treated with low doses of ACE inhibition, calcium channel blockers or their combination with low dose diuretics, had a clinically significant effect-reduction of BP by more than 10 mmHg systolic and more than 5 mmHg diastolic pressure."
 
Reference:
"The Effects of Natural Antioxidants from Tomato Extract in Treated but Uncontrolled Hypertensive Patients," Paran E, Novack V, et al, Cardiovasc Drugs There, 2008 Dec 4;