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Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the foremost cause of death in the United States and worldwide; thus, understanding novel interventions (e.g., diet) to reduce CVD risk is of critical importance. Ambulatory BP monitoring allows assessment of cardiovascular responses under real-world conditions and may be superior to in-office BP in terms of CVD risk prediction. PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of an acute dietary capsaicin intervention on 24-hour peripheral BP and pulse pressure (PP), with attention to sex-specific responses, given prior evidence of sex differences in vascular function. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design, 70 healthy adults (36 females, 34 males; mean age: females = 26.3 ± 12.5 years, males = 25.1 ± 12.7 years) were assigned to either a placebo (PLA; n=34; two 500 mg psyllium husk capsules daily) or capsaicin (CAP; n=36; two 440 mg capsules, 880 mg/day total) group for six weeks. On average, females had a BMI of 24.6 ± 4.95, and males 25.4 ± 4.55. Participants wore a 24-hour ambulatory oscillometric BP monitor (Mobil-O-Graph, IEM). BP was recorded twice hourly during the day and once every hour at night. Measured variables included systolic and diastolic BP and dipping, and Pulse Pressure (PP). Two-way ANOVA (JASP) was used evaluated the main effects of sex, condition, and their interaction. Partial ω² quantified effect sizes. RESULTS: Total systolic BP showed significant main effects of sex and condition. Night systolic BP was significantly affected by condition. Total PP showed a significant sex effect, and day PP displayed a sex and condition interaction. Standard deviations of PP were significantly affected, with large effect size for total PP SD (ω²p = 0.154) and a medium effect for PP Day (ω²p = 0.069). No significant differences were found in systolic (PLA: 8.9 ± 20.6 vs. CAP: 13.6 ± 23.9 mmHg) or diastolic dipping (PLA: 18.5 ± 23.9 vs. CAP: 13.1 ± 22.1 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: An acute dietary capsaicin intervention may have influence multiple BP parameters, particularly systolic BP, and PP, with notable sex differences. The lack of BP dipping effects indicates benefits may arise through mechanisms like autonomic control than circadian BP regulation. These findings emphasize the importance of considering sex in dietary interventions targeting vascular health.

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