OBJECTIVE:
Hypertension decreases the heart rate variability (HRV). Resveratrol, a phenolic compound found in grapes and their products, has been explored for its potential to treat hypertension. We evaluated the effects of low-dose resveratrol on HRV in hypertensive volunteers.
METHOD:
Twenty-one hypertensive volunteers of both sexes were supplemented with resveratrol (n = 11) or placebo (n = 10) for 30 days. HRV parameters were measured before and during a standardized treadmill exercise. One resveratrol- and 3 placebo-treated patients were lost to follow-up.
RESULTS:
There were no anthropometric differences between resveratrol (n = 10) and placebo (n = 7) other than a difference in body mass index. The measured HRV parameters did not differ between resveratrol and placebo, or between control and treadmill exercise.
CONCLUSION:
Low-dose resveratrol did not alter HRV in hypertensive patients.
KEYWORDS:
Grape seed extract; Hypertension; Autonomic nervous system