Rice vinegar may cut blood pressure

RiCe vinegar may lower blood pressure, possibly working in a similar way to a widely used hypertensive drug, say U.S. researchers, who are now testing this in a new trial.

The study at Tulane University in new Orleans involves 128 patients with prehypertension, who are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure in the future.

They will be given a daily drink of rice vinegar or a placebo for 12 weeks.

Previous lab studies found that rice vinegar blocks or slows the activity of the angiotensinconverting enzyme ( ACe), which helps regulate the volume of fluids in the body and is a key player in blood pressure.

Drugs for high blood pressure called ACe inhibitors work in a similar way.