Effects of Hawthorn Fruit Extract Drink in Chinese Patients With Mild Hypertension and/or Hyperlipidaemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study

<b>Objectives:</b> The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of hawthorn extract drink in mildly hypertensive and/or hyperlipidaemic Chinese patients. <b>Methods:</b> We performed a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. Subjects who were randomly divided into 2 groups and asked to consume either hawthorn fruit extract drink or placebo with the same sugar content for 8-weeks with crossover to the alternative drink separated by a 4-weeks washout period. Adverse effects, lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose and blood pressure were recorded. <b>Results:</b> In 61 participants, body weight increased by mean (95% CI) 0.42 kg (-0.85, 1.69 kg) with the hawthorn drink and 0.94 kg (0.52, 1.36 kg) with placebo (<i>P</i> > .05). Systolic blood pressure and plasma total cholesterol increased significantly with both treatments and cholesterol sub-fractions showed no significant changes. Significant increases were seen in fasting plasma glucose with placebo. The increase in plasma glucose was reversed during the 4-week washout period. <b>Conclusions:</b> Although our results didn't show significant effects of hawthorn drink compared to placebo, there was a trend toward fewer adverse metabolic effects. A longer study with hawthorn fruit extract without additional calories would be useful to determine if beneficial effects occur in patients with mild hyperlipidaemia or hypertension.