AberTea: fermented seaweed English breakfast tea for heart and blood vessel health during menopause
The Effect of the Fermented Seaweed Enriched Abertay Tea on Vascular Function and Markers of Cardiovascular Risk During Menopause
This trial will test whether drinking three cups a day of AberTea (English breakfast tea enriched with fermented brown seaweed) for eight weeks can improve blood pressure and blood vessel function in postmenopausal women.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 44 (estimated) |
| Ages | 45 Years to 74 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Abertay University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Dundee) |
| Trial ID | NCT07070635 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Abertay University will run a double-blind, parallel randomized trial comparing AberTea — an English breakfast tea enriched with fermented brown seaweed — to a control English breakfast tea over eight weeks. Postmenopausal women who are regular tea drinkers will be randomly assigned to drink three cups daily and will undergo fasting baseline and endpoint visits for blood pressure, vascular function testing, and blood sampling. Primary outcomes are blood pressure and vascular function, with secondary outcomes including lipoprotein profiles and glycaemic control; participants are asked not to change diet or activity. Recruitment will occur via university emails, posters, social media and local outreach, with screening to confirm eligibility and safety.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are postmenopausal women who regularly drink tea, have a BMI of 18.5–39.99 kg/m2, and do not have major cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or contraindicating medications.
Not a fit: Women with existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, recent cancer, thyroid impairment, active smokers or vapers, excessive alcohol intake, recent hormone therapy, or on excluded medications are not eligible and unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tea could modestly lower blood pressure and improve vascular health in postmenopausal women through a simple daily beverage.
How similar studies have performed: Previous interventional studies of brown seaweed or its extracts have shown reductions in blood pressure and improvements in lipids and glycaemic markers in some populations, though effects vary by seaweed type, dose, and duration.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Postmenopausal status: no menstrual period over the last 12 months * Regular tea drinkers (at least once a week), willingness to consume 3 cups of English breakfast tea per day for 8 weeks * BMI between 18.5 and 39.99 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * Reported history of CVD (myocardial infarction, angina, venous thrombosis, stroke, dyslipidemia), diabetes (or fasting glucose ≥ 6.1 mmol/L), kidney, liver or bowel disease. * Recent history of cancer (\<1y) * History indicative of a congenital or acquired platelet or haemostatic defect. * Presence of gastrointestinal disorder or use of drug, which is likely to alter gastrointestinal motility or nutrient absorption. * Recent use of hypolipidaemic, antiplatelet or antithrombotic medications * Impairment of thyroid function * Current smokers or vapers * Current self-reported weekly alcohol intake exceeding 14 units * Current or recent use of hormone replacement therapy (\<3 months) * Recent participation in another clinical trial (\<3 months) * Allergy or intolerance to crustaceans or iodine
Where this trial is running
Dundee
- Abertay University — Dundee, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sarah C Cottin, PhD — Abertay University
- Study coordinator: Sarah C Cottin, PhD
- Email: s.cottin@abertay.ac.uk
- Phone: +44(0)1382308780
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.