The effects of pumpkin seed oil supplementation on arterial hemodynamics, stiffness and cardiac autonomic function in postmenopausal women

Background: Postmenopausal women have a higher prevalence of hypertension than age-match men. Evidence from animal studies have demonstrated the antihypertensive effects of pumpkin seed oil (PSO). We examined the effects of PSO supplementation on vascular function and heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure (BP). Materials and methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either a PSO (n = 12) or a placebo group (n = 11). Participants in the PSO group consumed 3 g/day of PSO. Brachial and central BP, wave reflection (augmentation index, AIx), arterial stiffness (SI) and various HRV parameters were measured before and after 6 weeks. Results: AIx, brachial and central systolic BP significantly (P < 0.05) decreased following PSO but not after placebo. SI and HRV parameters remained unchanged after PSO or placebo. Conclusion: PSO improved arterial hemodynamics in postmenopausal women and therefore might be effective in the prevention and treatment of hypertension in this population.