Pilot Trial of Hibiscus Drink During Pregnancy (PTHDDP)

Trial of Acceptability, Tolerability and Biochemical Indicators of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. Drink in Pregnant Women

The goal of this phase I pilot clinical trial is to evaluate the acceptability, tolerability and effect on blood pressure and biomarkers of Hibiscus sabdariffa drink in pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Is the drink acceptable to take as a daily dose for a long time? Does drinking the beverage cause negative effects? What is the effect of drink consumption on blood pressure and biomarkers in pregnant women?

Each participant was their own control with the values measured before consumption of the beverage and after four weeks of consumption.

The participants:

• Took a daily dose of the beverage for 4 weeks
• Once a week for the four weeks, they answered the acceptability and tolerability questionnaires
• Before starting to consume the beverage and after the 4 weeks of consumption, they had their blood pressure measured, and samples taken for biomarker measurements.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women in the second trimester of pregnancy (14 to 28 gestation weeks)
• Age 18 to 35 years
• Blood pressure <140/90 mmHg

Exclusion Criteria:

• Multiple or high-risk pregnancy
• Hypertensive disorder in previous pregnancies
• Body mass index >32 kg/m2
• Present chronic diseases