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Can flaxseed supplementation alleviate blood pressure in patients with metabolic diseases? Evaluating the strength of evidence using a meta-analysis and GRADE approach.

  • 2025-06-12
  • Journal of diabetes and metabolic disorders 24(2)
    • Vali Musazadeh
    • Niloofar Hamidi
    • Mahsa Mahmoudinezhad
    • Ali Jafari
    • Farzad Shidfar

Study Design

Type
Review
Sample size
n = 209
Population
patients with metabolic diseases
Methods
Meta-analysis of 18 trials (comprising 22 treatment arms) with 1,209 participants; random-effects model for calculating weighted mean differences

Objective

Many clinical trials indicate that flaxseed supplementation may exhibit a significant antihypertensive effect, although the findings are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was conducted to provide a more accurate assessment of the impact of flaxseed supplementation on blood pressure in patients with metabolic diseases.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of international databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central, with data collection continuing until July 2024. We employed a random-effects model for calculating weighted mean differences (WMDs) to ensure robust analysis.

Results

Meta-analysis of 18 trials (comprising 22 treatment arms) with 1,209 participants revealed significant reductions in both systolic (WMD: -4.30 mmHg; 95% CI: -6.64 to -1.96, p < 0.001; I2 = 95.2%, p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (WMD = -2.50 mmHg; 95% CI: -3.88, -1.12, p < 0.001; I2 = 95.0%, p < 0.001) following flaxseed supplementation. More significant effects on SBP and DBP were found in trials with an intervention duration of 10-20 weeks, whole flaxseed, subjects with BMI 25-30 kg/m2, and in patients with hypertension.

Conclusion

Flaxseed products have been shown to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels significantly. Together with traditional medicine, flaxseed may be an effective supplement for hypertension treatment.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-025-01656-y.

Research Insights

  • flaxseed→Reduced Diastolic Blood Pressure

    Meta-analysis of 18 trials ... revealed significant reductions in both systolic ... and diastolic blood pressure (WMD = -2.50 mmHg; 95% CI: -3.88, -1.12, p < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • flaxseed→Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure

    Meta-analysis of 18 trials ... revealed significant reductions in both systolic (WMD: -4.30 mmHg; 95% CI: -6.64 to -1.96, p < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
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