Investigating the anti-hypertensive effects of pumpkin seed oil

A team of scientists from Marymount University, Texas Tech University and Iran’s University of Guilan discovered that pumpkin seed oil (PSO) can potentially be used to delay the onset and progression of hypertension in post-menopausal women. Their findings were published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.

• The researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 23 postmenopausal women aged 48 to 64 years.
• The women were split into two groups: One ingested 3 grams (g) of PSO a day while the other took a placebo.
• The researchers evaluated the participants’ brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) using a non-invasive tonometer.
• Cardiac autonomic function was evaluated by means of heart rate variability (HRV) using standard guidelines.
• The participants’ height and body weight were also measured using a stadiometer and Seca scale, respectively.
• The group that supplemented with PSO experienced reductions in resting brachial SBP and DPB.
• No significant changes in heart rate and HRV were observed.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that regular PSO supplementation can help reduce hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women.

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Journal Reference:

Wong A, Viola D, Bergen D, et. al. THE EFFECTS OF PUMPKIN SEED OIL SUPPLEMENTATION ON ARTERIAL HEMODYNAMICS, STIFFNESS AND CARDIAC AUTONOMIC FUNCTION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN,  2019 Nov;37:23-26. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.08.003