Endpoint

Flow-mediated dilation

CAT:outcome/flow-mediated-dilationreported in percent17 findings from 9 compounds

What moved it

17 findings · 9 compounds · 2 null · by evidence strength

Compound	Direction	Findings	Strongest evidence
L-citrulline	up	4	Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.
magnesium(2+)	no effect 2 · up 1	3	Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.
K(+)	up	1	Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.
lycopene	up	1	Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.
Vitis vinifera	up	1	Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.
coenzyme Q10	up	2	Evidence strength: limited. Human evidence with several recorded weaknesses, or a design that tops out at limited.
curcumin	up	2	Evidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.
resveratrol	up	2	Evidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.
L-arginine	up	1	Evidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.

Reported to move it

15 findings

L-citrulline — increases
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.Findingreplicated ×3
“L-CIT supplementation increased L-ARG levels (Δ13 ± 2 vs. Δ−2 ± 2 µmol/L, p < 0.01) and FMD (Δ1.4 ± 2.0% vs. Δ−0.5 ± 1.7%, p = 0.03) compared to PL.”
Quoted verbatim from Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women..
Study

RCT
Participants

25
Duration

4 weeks
Dose

10 g/day L-citrulline
Population

hypertensive postmenopausal women
Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women.2022PMID:36297080Permalink
lycopene — increases
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.Finding
“The results showed a significant increase in FMD in the lycopene group compared with the control group (MD = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.20, 2.51, p = 0.02), with low heterogeneity (I2 = 24%).”
Quoted verbatim from Effect of Intake of Lycopene-Containing Products on Vascular Endothelial Function in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis..
Study

meta-analysis
Population

Healthy adults; meta-analysis of four continuous-intake (at least 7 days) trials of lycopene-containing products versus control without or with very low lycopene
Effect 1.36 mean difference, 95% CI 0.2 to 2.51
Effect of Intake of Lycopene-Containing Products on Vascular Endothelial Function in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.2026PMID:42588128Industry fundedPermalink
L-citrulline — increases
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.Findingreplicated ×3
“Compared to the placebo, FMD significantly increased after 4 weeks of CIT supplementation (placebo: Δ−0.7 ± 0.6% vs. CIT: Δ1.6 ± 0.7%, p < 0.05) B).”
Quoted verbatim from L-Citrulline Supplementation Improves Arterial Blood Flow and Muscle Oxygenation during Handgrip Exercise in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women..
Study

RCT
Participants

22
Duration

4 weeks
Dose

L-citrulline 10 g/day (NOW Foods), taken as 4.5 g (6 capsules of 750 mg) in the morning and 5.25 g (7 capsules of 750 mg) in the evening, for 4 weeks
Population

Sedentary hypertensive postmenopausal women aged 50-71 years, resting systolic blood pressure at or above 130 mmHg (or 120 mmHg if on antihypertensive medication); 4 of 11 in the citrulline arm and 3 of 11 in the placebo arm were taking an antihypertensive and 1 in each arm a statin.
L-Citrulline Supplementation Improves Arterial Blood Flow and Muscle Oxygenation during Handgrip Exercise in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women.2024PMID:38931289Permalink
K(+) — increases
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.Finding
“In the pooled analysis, potassium supplementation was associated with a significant increase in FMD (MD: 0.74%), with a higher effect for a urinary potassium excretion higher than 90 mmol/day.”
Quoted verbatim from Effect of Potassium Supplementation on Endothelial Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Intervention Studies..
Study

meta-analysis
Population

Adults in five intervention studies (eight cohorts) of potassium supplementation, pooled
Effect 0.74 mean difference
Effect of Potassium Supplementation on Endothelial Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Intervention Studies.2023PMID:36839211Permalink
Vitis vinifera — increases
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.Finding
“The results showed that the FMD level was significantly increased in the initial 120 min after intake of grape polyphenols as compared with controls.”
Quoted verbatim from The acute effects of grape polyphenols supplementation on endothelial function in adults: meta-analyses of controlled trials..
Study

meta-analysis
Dose

single acute intake, FMD assessed in the initial 120 min
Population

Adults in nine pooled controlled trials of a single acute dose of grape polyphenols, healthy subjects and subjects with cardiovascular risk factors combined; FMD measured within the first 120 minutes after intake
The acute effects of grape polyphenols supplementation on endothelial function in adults: meta-analyses of controlled trials.2013PMID:23894543Permalink
coenzyme Q10 — increases
LimitedEvidence strength: limited. Human evidence with several recorded weaknesses, or a design that tops out at limited.Findingreplicated ×1
“CoQ10 increased brachial artery FMD by mean ± SEM 1.0 ± 0.5% (P = 0.04) compared with placebo but did not alter nitrate-mediated dilatation (P = 0.66).”
Quoted verbatim from Coenzyme Q10 improves endothelial dysfunction in statin-treated type 2 diabetic patients..
Study

crossover
Duration

3 months
Dose

200 mg/day
Population

Statin-treated type 2 diabetic patients aged 40-79 years with endothelial dysfunction (brachial FMD <5.5%) and LDL cholesterol <2.5 mmol/l; double-blind crossover versus placebo
Coenzyme Q10 improves endothelial dysfunction in statin-treated type 2 diabetic patients.2009PMID:19228872Permalink

Show the remaining 9

L-citrulline — increases
LimitedEvidence strength: limited. Human evidence with several recorded weaknesses, or a design that tops out at limited.Findingreplicated ×3
“FMD improved in the fasted state after CIT supplementation compared to placebo (CIT: Δ1.3 ± 0.2% vs. Placebo: Δ−0.5 ± 0.1%, p < 0.01) A).”
Quoted verbatim from Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function, Arterial Stiffness, and Blood Glucose Level in the Fasted and Acute Hyperglycemic States in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes..
Study

crossover
Participants

16
Duration

4 weeks
Dose

6 g/day L-citrulline as 750 mg capsules, four in the morning and four in the evening, for 4 weeks
Population

Middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes, mean age 62 years, treated with oral hypoglycaemic drugs and/or insulin, none doing structured exercise; measured in the fasted state.
Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function, Arterial Stiffness, and Blood Glucose Level in the Fasted and Acute Hyperglycemic States in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes.2025PMID:41374029Permalink
resveratrol — increases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Findingreplicated ×1
“Compared with placebo, resveratrol supplementation increased flow-mediated dilation (ratio of geometric mean changes and 95% confidence interval for between-group comparisons, 1.43 (1.15 to 1.77); P value = 0.001).”
Quoted verbatim from Effect of Resveratrol on Endothelial Function in Patients with CKD and Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial..
Study

crossover
Participants

28
Duration

6 weeks
Dose

400 mg/d
Population

adults aged 68 +/- 7 years (84% men) with stage 3 CKD and diabetes; abstract only; primary endpoint
Effect of Resveratrol on Endothelial Function in Patients with CKD and Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.2024PMID:37843843Permalink
resveratrol — increases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Findingreplicated ×1
“The findings showed that resveratrol intervention significantly increased flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) levels (SMD 1.77; 95% CI 0.25, 3.29; P = 0.02; I2: 96.5).”
Quoted verbatim from The Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressures Among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials..
Study

meta-analysis
Population

Adults with metabolic syndrome and related disorders across 28 pooled randomized controlled trials (33 findings) of resveratrol supplementation
Effect 1.77 standardised mean difference, 95% CI 0.25 to 3.29
The Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressures Among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.2019PMID:31264084Permalink
magnesium(2+) — increases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Finding
“Mg supplementation significantly increased FMD (MD: 2.97; 95% CI: 0.23 to 5.70%, p = 0.033).”
Quoted verbatim from Effect of magnesium supplementation on endothelial function: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials..
Study

meta-analysis
Population

Adults pooled across RCTs of magnesium supplementation evaluated for endothelial function (meta-analysis of 7 RCTs).
Effect 2.97 mean difference, 95% CI 0.23 to 5.7
Effect of magnesium supplementation on endothelial function: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2018PMID:29709832Permalink
curcumin — increases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Findingreplicated ×1
“This meta-analysis of 5 randomized clinical trials indicates a significant effect of curcumin preparations to increase the FMD compared to placebo and thus endothelial function.”
Quoted verbatim from Curcumin Preparations Can Improve Flow-Mediated Dilation and Endothelial Function: A Meta-Analysis..
Study

meta-analysis
Population

adults, pooled across 5 RCTs of curcumin preparations vs placebo
Curcumin Preparations Can Improve Flow-Mediated Dilation and Endothelial Function: A Meta-Analysis.2020PMID:32101871Permalink
curcumin — increases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Findingreplicated ×1
“We found a significant increase in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) following curcumin supplementation (WMD: 1.49; 95% CI [0.16, 2.82]).”
Quoted verbatim from The effects of curcumin supplementation on endothelial function: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials..
Study

meta-analysis
Population

adults, pooled across 10 studies (11 effect sizes) of curcumin supplementation for endothelial function
Effect 1.49 mean difference, 95% CI 0.16 to 2.82
The effects of curcumin supplementation on endothelial function: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2019PMID:31423626Permalink
L-arginine — increases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Finding
“Only l-arginine supplementation did improve postprandial FMD, but effects were not different from those of tree nuts and groundnuts.”
Quoted verbatim from Effects of tree nut and groundnut consumption compared with those of l-arginine supplementation on fasting and postprandial flow-mediated vasodilation: Meta-analysis of human randomized controlled trials..
Study

meta-analysis
Dose

3-15 g/day (daily range across pooled RCTs)
Population

Adults; meta-analysis of human RCTs of l-arginine supplementation on postprandial flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, alongside separate RCTs of tree nut and groundnut consumption
Effects of tree nut and groundnut consumption compared with those of l-arginine supplementation on fasting and postprandial flow-mediated vasodilation: Meta-analysis of human randomized controlled trials.2021PMID:32980186Permalink
L-citrulline — increases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Findingreplicated ×3
“L-citrulline significantly improved FMD (L-citrulline 4.66 ± 0.45%; placebo 3.46 ± 0.37%, p = .045) at week 12 in participants with high-normal blood pressure at baseline.”
Quoted verbatim from Vascular effects of l-citrulline supplementation in healthy adults are largely influenced by the prehypertensive range of blood pressure: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study..
Study

RCT
Duration

3 months
Dose

3000 mg L-citrulline, 12 weeks
Population

adults with high-normal blood pressure at baseline (subgroup); 12-week supplementation
Vascular effects of l-citrulline supplementation in healthy adults are largely influenced by the prehypertensive range of blood pressure: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.2026PMID:42142423Permalink
coenzyme Q10 — increases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Findingreplicated ×1
“Meta-analysis using random-effects model showed treatment with coenzyme Q10 significantly improvement in endothelial function assessed peripherally by flow-mediated dilatation (SMD 1.70, 95% CI: 1.00-2.4, p<0.0001).”
Quoted verbatim from Effects of coenzyme Q10 on vascular endothelial function in humans: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials..
Study

meta-analysis
Population

patients with and without established cardiovascular disease
Effect 1.7 standardised mean difference, 95% CI 1 to 2.4
Effects of coenzyme Q10 on vascular endothelial function in humans: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2012PMID:22088605Permalink

Measured, no effect detected

2 findings

magnesium(2+) — no detected effect on
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.FindingNull resultreplicated ×1
“There was no difference between the magnesium supplementation phase and control phase on the absolute change in FMD and no difference in the mean percentage change in FMD from the control phase to intervention phase (Table 4).”
Quoted verbatim from The Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Endothelial Function: A Randomised Cross-Over Pilot Study..
Study

crossover
Duration

7 days
Dose

magnesium citrate 927.6 mg (150 mg Mg) per tablet, two tablets daily for women and three for men
Population

healthy adults aged 19 to 75 years with baseline serum magnesium in the normal range, randomised crossover, one week of supplement on top of usual diet versus one week of usual diet
The Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Endothelial Function: A Randomised Cross-Over Pilot Study.2021PMID:34360460Permalink
magnesium(2+) — no detected effect on
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.FindingNull resultreplicated ×1
“The oral supplementation of Mg had no significant effect on FMD (mean difference 2.13; 95% CI - 0.56, 4.82; p = 0.12) and PWV (mean difference - 0.54, 95% CI - 1.45, 0.36, p = 0.24).”
Quoted verbatim from Effects of Oral Magnesium Supplementation on Vascular Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials..
Study

meta-analysis
Population

Adults, pooled RCTs of oral magnesium supplementation vs. control on vascular function
Effect 2.13 mean difference, 95% CI -0.56 to 4.82
Effects of Oral Magnesium Supplementation on Vascular Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.2020PMID:31845310Permalink

How it is measured

Percent increase in brachial artery diameter following release of a cuff occlusion (reactive hyperaemia), by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Cuff position, occlusion duration and whether diameter was edge-detected automatically are recorded with each finding.

Measured, not recorded

Subject: flow-mediated dilation
Measurements: 7 measurements
Recorded as a finding: No

Show what was measured

flow-mediated dilation
increases, 14.3% (7.3) active vs 9.4% (5.8) placebo, p = 0.03, p = 0.03, n = 46
The flow-mediated dilation was greater in the active group than in the placebo (14.3% (7.3) vs. 9.4% (5.8), p = 0.03).
PMID:36501014 · both readings recorded this
flow-mediated dilation
increases
Wong et al. found in a pilot study that administration of RES (270 mg/day for 4 weeks) significantly increased FMD in overweight, hypertensive participants.
PMID:34576315 · one of two readings recorded this
flow-mediated dilation
increases
In 2018, Marques et al. examined the effect of a single dose of trans-resveratrol (300 mg) on endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients.
PMID:34576315 · one of two readings recorded this
flow-mediated dilation
increases
In 2012, Magyar et al. examined vascular function after 10 mg per day RES administration for 3 months in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
PMID:34576315 · one of two readings recorded this
flow-mediated dilation
increases
flow-mediated dilation (WMD: 2.00%; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.94; I2 = 79.5%)
PMID:40538540 · one of two readings recorded this
flow-mediated dilation
increases
FMD was significantly higher after 12 weeks in the PE-500 and Cr-800 groups compared to the PLA group
PMID:40573153 · one of two readings recorded this
Flow-mediated dilation
increases
Shechter et al. reported opposite findings in a larger cohort of healthy controls and patients with stable coronary artery disease: 60 min after ingestion of 200 mg caffeine, FMD increased significantly
PMID:42506430 · one of two readings recorded this

Sources cited

17 papers

Subject: flow-mediated dilation
Findings: 17
Papers: 17