NCT06559982

Effects of a Brown Seaweed Tart Cherry Blend in Mild-moderate Hypertension

Effects of a Brown Seaweed Extract and Tart Cherry Blend Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Participants With Mild-moderate Hypertension an Ex-vivo Optimized Pilot Feasibility Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Central Lancashire · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The brown seaweed species Ascophyllum nodosum is rich in bioactive polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, lipids, pigments, and polyphenols. Similarly, Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is high in anthocyanins and polyphenols. Both substances have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory properties that target mechanisms central to hypertension and cardiometabolic diseases. Dietary interventions to improve cardiovascular health are highly sought after as they possess less risk and financial burden than pharmacological drugs. Previous randomized trial has shown that both brown seaweed and tart cherry supplementation can improving systolic blood pressure and other cardiovascular/ blood lipids. However, to date, no research has explored a seaweed - tart cherry blend using a placebo randomized intervention in patients with hypertension. The primary purpose of the proposed investigation is to test the ability of a seaweed - tart cherry supplementation blend to improve cardiometabolic parameters in participants with mild-moderate hypertension using a pilot/ feasibility study.

Detailed description

Hypertension is the leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality, causing over 75,000 annual UK deaths. It affects 31% of males and 26% of females, with about 30% having uncontrolled blood pressure. The UK has 14.4 million hypertensive individuals due to aging, population growth, and lifestyle factors. Hypertension accounts for 12% of GP appointments and £2.1 billion in annual healthcare costs, making it the most expensive disease modality. Effective management can significantly reduce stroke and heart disease risk. A 2mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure decreases coronary heart disease mortality by 7% and stroke risk by 10%. A 5mmHg reduction over 10 years could save the NHS nearly £1 billion. This highlights the need for alternative approaches due to pharmaceutical treatments' high cost and side effects. The brown seaweed species Ascophyllum nodosum is rich in bioactive polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, lipids, pigments, and polyphenols. Similarly, Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is high in anthocyanins and polyphenols. Both substances have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory properties that target mechanisms central to hypertension and cardiometabolic diseases. Prior to the commencement of this pilot/ feasibility trial, we will evaluate the efficacy of a brown seaweed-tart cherry blend using an ex-vivo model to determine the optimal proportions of each and to understand the molecular effects. The most bioactive blend will be tested in this trial. The primary purpose of the proposed investigation is to test the ability of a seaweed - tart cherry supplementation blend to improve cardiometabolic parameters in participants with mild-moderate hypertension using a pilot/ feasibility study.

Conditions

• Hypertension

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Brown seaweed and tart cherry blend	Blend of brown seaweed and tart cherry blend taken twice daily
OTHER	Placebo	Identical in taste and colour to the supplement, but with no brown seaweed or tart cherry.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-01
• Primary completion: 2026-05-01
• Completion: 2026-07-01
• First posted: 2024-08-19
• Last updated: 2024-08-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom