Snacking on Raisins Lowers Blood Pressure

LOUISVILLE, Ky.Eating raisins three times a day may significantly lower blood pressure among individuals with pre-hypertension compared to other snacks, according to new research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session.

Researchers at the Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Center (L-MARC) conducted a 12-week randomized controlled study funded by the California Raisin Marketing Board to examine the effects of raisins on blood pressure. For the study, 46 men and women with pre-hypertension were randomly assigned to snack on California Raisins or pre-packaged commercial snacks that did not contain raisins or other fruits or vegetables, three times a day for 12 weeks.

Data analyses revealed that compared to other popular snacks, raisins significantly reduce systolic blood pressure at weeks 4, 8 and 12, ranging from -4.8 to -7.2% or -6.0 to -10.2 mmHg (p values <0.05). Within group analysis demonstrates that raisins significantly reduce mean diastolic blood pressure at all study visits, with changes ranging from -2.4 to - 5.2 mmHg (p values < 0.05). Pre-packaged snacks (including crackers and cookies) did not significantly reduce systolic or diastolic blood pressure at any study visit.

"Raisins have intrinsic properties that could support heart and vascular health; however, we believe this is the first controlled study to specifically and scientifically support raisins' blood pressure-lowering effects compared to other snacks," the researchers said.