The Effect of the Fermented Seaweed Enriched Abertay Tea on Vascular Function and Markers of Cardiovascular Risk During Menopause

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how a special English Breakfast tea enriched with fermented brown seaweed might help improve cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women. The study focuses on factors like blood pressure, vascular function, and markers of cardiovascular risk because cardiovascular risk increases after menopause. Brown seaweed contains antioxidants, pigments, and fiber that may benefit heart health. Participants will be randomly assigned to drink either the enriched tea or a regular control tea three times a day for eight weeks. Each tea bag contains 3 grams of tea, with the enriched version also having 1 gram of fermented seaweed. They will prepare each cup by brewing the tea in boiling water for three minutes. The study uses a double-blind design, so neither participants nor researchers know which tea is given until the trial ends. Participants will attend two visits, one at the start and one after eight weeks, to measure blood pressure continuously and assess vascular function, blood lipids, insulin resistance, and menopause symptoms. Researchers will track compliance through tea logs and leftover tea bag counts, and contact participants regularly to support adherence. The total study duration for each participant is about eight weeks, with detailed health assessments performed before and after the intervention.

Abertay Tea for Cardiovascular Health During Menopause