Bitters: Time for a New Paradigm

Figure 3

Postingestion placebo-controlled changes from baseline for systolic blood pressure following the intake of four bitter preparations. The sharp increase in blood pressure (broken ellipse) for W1500 during the first minute and extending to 5 minutes is likely the result of a startle or alerting response to the tastant. G500: extract produced from 500 mg gentian, G1500: extract produced from 1500 mg gentian, W500: extract produced from 500 mg wormwood, W1500: extract produced from 1500 mg wormwood, PC: placebo control.