Abstract
The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials was to assess the long-term effect of grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation on flow-mediated dilation (FMD), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) in adults. Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched up to May 24, 2021. Nineteen trials were included in this study. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. GSE supplementation significantly reduced DBP (WMD: -2.20 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.79 to -0.60, I2 = 88.8%) and HR (WMD: -1.25 bpm, 95% CI: -2.32 to -0.19, I2 = 59.5%) but had no significant effects on FMD (WMD: 1.02%, 95% CI: -0.62 to 2.66, I2 = 92.0%) and SBP (WMD: -3.55 mmHg, 95% CI: -7.59 to 0.49, I2 = 97.4%). Subgroup analysis revealed that the dose and duration of GSE administration and the characteristics of study participants could be sources of between-study heterogeneity. Significant non-linear relationships were found between DBP and the duration of GSE supplementation (P = 0.044) and its dose (P = 0.007). In conclusion, GSE may be beneficial for individuals with or at risk of cardiovascular disease because it may have hypotensive and HR-lowering properties.
