Kazuma Yoshizumi1, Mari Shimura2, Yukari Kobayashi2, Kousei Nishikawa2, Kana Koyama2, Yuki Asahina2, Takamasa Masuda2, Hirohito Ishikawa2, Yoshiya Oikawa1, Kenji Miyahara1, Yoshimasa Takaki1, Masazumi Nishikawa3, Tomoyuki Watanabe4 and Mitsuko Itoh5,6
1Takaki Shoten Corporation, Sasawara-machi, Uto, Kumamoto 869-0402, Japan
2Healthcare Systems Co., Ltd., Shirakane, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-0058, Japan
3School of Food Industrial Sciences, Miyagi University, Hatatate, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 982-0215, Japan
4Department of Nutritional Science, Faculty of Psychological and Physical Science, Aichi Gakuin University, Iwasaki-cho, Nisshin, Aichi 470-0195, Japan
5Akasaka Family Clinic, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
6The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Public Health/Health Policy, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mekabu (sporophyll of Undaria pinnatifida) ingestion in lowering blood pressure and improving swelling. A randomized, single-blind, parallel comparison study was conducted on 60 individuals with high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure [SBP] > 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] > 100 mmHg). The participants were divided into two groups, a test food group and a control group. The test food group ingested 35 g of raw mekabu once per day in the morning, noon, or evening, prior to meal intake, for a total of four weeks. SDB, DBP, and pulse rate were measured using an automatic blood pressure monitor, and subjective symptoms of swelling were evaluated by a questionnaire. Salt intake was determined by calculating the 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. No significant changes were observed in SBP, DBP, pulse rate, or salt intake before and after the experiment in both groups. In subgroup analysis, a significant reduction in SBP (p < 0.05) was observed in the test food group in those with a pre-experimental SBP of < 140 mmHg. Subjective symptoms of swelling improved in those with mekabu intake. Regular pre-meal intake of mekabu is an effective means of improving swelling, and lowering blood pressure in participants with SBP < 140 mmHg. Part of this study was carried out with the support of the “Reiwa 3rd year public subsidy for creation of new business by small and medium-sized enterprises (Miyagi prefecture)”.