Study: Effects of Strawberries on Blood Pressure

Effect of Strawberry Powder on Blood Pressure in Individuals With Pre-Hypertension

The specific aim of the study is to determine whether a freeze dried powder provided by the California Strawberries Commission, can reduce blood pressure in patients with pre-hypertension. The powder is prepared by the California Strawberry Commission (CSC).

Primarily, we would like to find out whether freeze dried strawberry powder lowers blood pressure. In addition we would like to know if the strawberry alters the subject's blood cholesterol and the ability of the subject's blood vessels to relax.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pre-hypertensive men and women (JNC 7 [The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure] criteria) between the ages of 25 and 65 years who have no clinical evidence/history of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal or hepatic disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who:

  1. are taking over the counter anti-oxidant supplements,
  2. are taking prescription medications that may interfere with study procedures or endpoints,
  3. have unusual dietary habits (eg., pica),
  4. are actively losing weight or trying to lose weight,
  5. are addicted to drugs or alcohol,
  6. present with significant psychiatric or neurological disturbances,
  7. have known allergies to strawberry, will be excluded from participating in this study.
  8. Patients known to have glaucoma
  9. Pregnant and/or lactating females