Effect of vitamin C and hawthorn beverage formula on blood pressure and oxidative stress in heat-exposed workers: a cluster-randomized controlled trial

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #ascorbic-acid #oxidative-stress #male #blood-pressure

Effect of vitamin C and hawthorn beverage formula on blood pressure and oxidative stress in heat-exposed workers: a cluster-randomized controlled trial

Du et al., 2024 | Asia Pac J Clin Nutr | Rct

Citation

Du Wei, Zhang Shuhan, ... Fan Hongmin. Effect of vitamin C and hawthorn beverage formula on blood pressure and oxidative stress in heat-exposed workers: a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2024-Dec;33(4):503-514. doi:10.6133/apjcn.202412_33(4).0005

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is no evidence on antioxidant-rich diets in preventing hypertension in heat-exposed workers. We aimed to evaluate the effects of formula supplemented with vitamin C (Vit C) and hawthorn beverage on reducing blood pressure (BP) and oxidative stress levels in heat-exposed workers. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In the 40-day cluster-randomized controlled trial, four heat-exposed shift-teams were enrolled and randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group was given one Vit C tablet (130 mg) and a 500 mL hawthorn beverage containing 278.7 mg flavonoids daily whereas the control group was given 500 mL of slightly salted water daily; both groups were provided education on a healthy diet. BP and creatinine-corrected urinary 8-isoprostane-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α/Cr) concentrations were assessed at baseline, Day 17 (only BP) and Day 41, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and log10-transformed 8-iso-PGF2α/Cr in the inter-vention group decreased by 7.41 mmHg, 7.93 mmHg and 0.232, respectively, from baseline to day 41 (all p<0.05). When comparing BP levels at baseline, DBP in the intervention group was reduced by 5.46 mmHg when compared to control (p<0.05) among participants with lower baseline BP; SBP and DBP experienced reductions of 9.74 and 9.22 mmHg among participants with higher baseline BP (both p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of Vit C and flavonoids rich hawthorn beverage to heat-exposed workers prevented elevated BP caused by heat exposure which may be attributed to its oxidative stress inhibition effects.

Key Findings

Compared with the control group, the systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and log10-transformed 8-iso-PGF2α/Cr in the inter-vention group decreased by 7.41 mmHg, 7.93 mmHg and 0.232, respectively, from baseline to day 41 (all p<0.05). When comparing BP levels at baseline, DBP in the intervention group was reduced by 5.46 mmHg when compared to control (p<0.05) among participants with lower baseline BP; SBP and DBP experienced reductions of 9.74 and 9.22 mmHg among participants with higher basel

Outcomes Measured

  • blood pressure
  • systolic blood pressure
  • diastolic blood pressure

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition hypertension

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Male
  • Blood Pressure
  • Adult
  • Beverages
  • Crataegus
  • Female
  • Hot Temperature
  • Middle Aged
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Hypertension
  • Antioxidants

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: vitamin-c-exercise

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09