The results indicate that pycnogenol supplementation improves levels of HDL-C ; however , the changes in TC , TAG , and LDL-C were not clinical ly relevant .
Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels  , pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases
The effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids are controversial .
A systematic review and meta- analysis of clinical trials were conducted to obtain a conclusive result in humans .
A comparative study of the effect of green tea and sour tea on blood pressure and lipid profile in healthy adult men
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases ( CVD ) are a set of metabolic disorders affecting heart and blood vessels . Green tea and sour tea ( Hibiscus sabdariffa L. ) have attracted significant attention recently due to their high popularity , nutrient profile and therapeutic effects . The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of green tea and sour tea supplementation on blood pressure and lipid profile in healthy adult men . METHODS This r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial included 54 healthy adult men . The participants were r and omly assigned to two intervention groups receiving 450 mg green tea or sour tea and one placebo group which consumed 450 mg placebo ( maltodextrin ) for 6 weeks . Blood pressure , lipid profile , dietary intake and physical activity were measured pre- and post-intervention and compared . RESULTS After 6 weeks of intervention , sour tea supplementation led to a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) compared with the placebo group . However , we faild to find any significant difference in SBP between green tea and control groups . Also , no significant changes were observed in diastolic blood pressure ( DBP ) and lipid profile between the three groups . In comparison with baseline , there was a significant increase in the mean level of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) in green tea and sour tea groups . Also , the interventions result ed in significant decrease in the mean levels of serum total cholesterol ( TC ) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) and DBP in the sour tea group compared with the pre-intervention value . CONCLUSION On the basis of our findings , sour tea supplementation led to decreased SBP  in healthy men compared with the placebo , but there was no significant difference between their effects on DBP and lipid profile
The results indicate that pycnogenol supplementation improves levels of HDL-C ; however , the changes in TC , TAG , and LDL-C were not clinical ly relevant .
Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels  , pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases
The effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids are controversial .
A systematic review and meta- analysis of clinical trials were conducted to obtain a conclusive result in humans .