A fruit that helps lower blood pressure has been named

The exotic fruit feijoa has unexpectedly shown benefits for blood pressure: people with prediabetes who took powder made from this fruit saw greater improvements in systolic blood pressure than those who received a placebo. The study was published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

Scientists from the University of Auckland conducted a clinical trial involving 97 people with prediabetes — a condition that precedes type 2 diabetes. Over the course of six months, alongside a weight loss program, participants received approximately one gram of feijoa powder per day or a placebo.

Initially, the researchers were testing whether feijoa could help reduce the risk of developing diabetes, but the main discovery turned out to be an unexpected effect on blood pressure. However, this effect did not appear in all analytical approaches, so the researchers remain cautious in their conclusions. The benefit is attributed to the fruit's bioactive compounds — polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, and abscisic acid, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The authors explicitly emphasize that larger trials are needed for reliable conclusions: the sample size was relatively small, and the effect was inconsistent. So it would be premature to consider feijoa a "blood pressure remedy." Nevertheless, the result is interesting as an example of how ordinary foods can unexpectedly affect health, and as a reason to study feijoa more closely. Overall, this study serves as a reminder that the foundation of diabetes and hypertension prevention remains simple: weight management, physical activity, and a balanced diet.

Feijoa is a relative of myrtle native to South America, valued for its rich flavor and high content of vitamin C, iodine, and antioxidants. In recent years, such "superfruits" have been actively studied for their potential metabolic benefits. But the feijoa story is a good example of how cautiously one should approach such discoveries: even a real effect often turns out to be modest and requires confirmation.