A dietary fibre supplement in the treatment of mild hypertension. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of a dietary fibre supplement given as monotherapy upon blood pressure in mildly hypertensive patients. DESIGN: The investigation was performed as a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for 3 months. SETTING: Patients attending an outpatient hypertension clinic in a hospital. PATIENTS: Hypertensive patients with a minimum of two diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings greater than 90 mmHg during a 2-week run-in period were included. Of the 65 patients enrolled, 63 were randomized (32 fibre, 31 placebo). Six patients did not complete the trial. INTERVENTION: Patients were treated with either fibre (7 g/day) or matching placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Based on previous studies, the a priori hypothesis was that dietary fibre supplementation could reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients. RESULTS: Body weight was significantly reduced in the fibre group. Dietary fibre significantly reduced DBP and fasting serum insulin. However, no correlation between changes in body weight and systolic blood pressure or DBP was found. CONCLUSION: A dietary fibre supplement can lower DBP in mildly hypertensive patients independent of changes in body weight.