Sesame, Rice Bran Oil Blend Lowers Blood Pressure

WASHINGTONCooking with a blend of sesame and rice bran oils may significantly lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, according to new research presented at the American Heart Associations High Blood Pressure Research 2012 Scientific Sessions. The findings suggest the use of the oil blend along with commonly prescribed high blood pressure medication yields even more impressive results.

Researchers at Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital said rice bran oil, like sesame oil, is low in saturated fat and appears to improve a patients cholesterol profile. It also may reduce heart disease risk in other ways, including being a substitute for less healthy oils and fats in the diet.

The 60-day study in New Delhi, India, divided 300 people with mild to moderately high blood pressure into three groups. One group was treated with a commonly used blood pressure lowering medication called a calcium-channel blocker (nifedipine). The second group was given the oil blend and told to use about an ounce each day in their meals. The final group received the calcium channel blocker and the oil blend. All three groups saw drops in their systolic blood pressure.

Systolic blood pressure dropped an average of 14 points for those using only the oil blend and 16 points for those taking medication. Those using both saw a 36-point drop. Diastolic blood pressure also dropped significantly11 points for those eating the oil, 12 for those on medication and 24 for those using both.

Those using the oils saw a 26% drop in their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and a 9.5% increase in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL), while no changes in cholesterol were observed for the patients who used only the calcium-channel blocker. Those who took the calcium channel blocker and the oils had a 27% drop in LDL levels and a 10.9% increase in HDL.

The researchers concluded healthier fatty acids and antioxidants, such as sesamin, sesamol, sesamolin and oryzanol, in the oil blends may be responsible for the results.