Effect of Arabic Qahwa on Blood Pressure in Patients with Stage One Hypertension in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia

Hypertension (HT), which is a condition of increased blood pressure (BP), is a major health problem globally. In Saudi Arabia, morbidity and mortality rates are increasing due to HT. Arabic Qahwa (AQ) is a commonly consumed beverage in Saudi Arabia and has numerous health benefits. We conducted a randomized control trial to investigate the effect of AQ on BP among patients with HT (Stage 1). Based on the inclusion criteria, 140 patients were randomly selected, and 126 patients were followed up. After obtaining demographic information, we assessed the BP, heart rate, and lipid profile before and after the intervention of consuming four cups of AQ daily for four weeks. A paired 't' test was used with a significance level of 5%. In the AQ group, there were significant changes (p = 0.009) in systolic blood pressure (SBP), with means of 134.72 ± 3.23 and 133.14 ± 3.69 observed pre and post-test, respectively. Similarly, the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) pre- and post-test mean scores were 87.08 ± 1.8 and 85.98 ± 1.95, respectively, which also showed significance (p = 0.001). There were also significant changes (p = 0.001) observed in the lipid profile of the AQ group. In conclusion, AQ is effective in reducing SBP and DBP in patients with stage one HT.

Influence of Arabic Qahwa Beverage on Optical and Mechanical Properties of Lithium Disilicate Glass Ceramics and Zirconia Restorative Materials

AIMS

The study aims to assess the effect of Arabic Qahwa (AQ) on the color parameters of lithium disilicate glass ceramic (LDGC), IPS e.max computer-aided design (CAD), and multilayered zirconia CAD/ computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) ceramic materials after immersion in AQ and also, to measure the biaxial fracture strength and fracture modes of the tested materials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty circular specimens were milled from LDGC and zirconia. Before AQ immersion, the color parameters of the specimens L, a, and b were measured and recorded using a spectrophotometer on white, black, and gray background and analyzed after AQ staining and aging for 14 days. Biaxial compressive forces and fracture types were recorded. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS for descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, and post hoc tests.

RESULTS

The overall TP values were 16.79 and 15.85 for LDGC and zirconia, respectively. The recorded ΔE* values were 2.63 and 2.99 for LDGC and zirconia, which have no remarkable difference. The TP values after AQ staining were slightly lesser. Subgroup analysis revealed considerable differences in TP values among zirconia specimens under both backgrounds, whereas substantial differences in ΔE* values were observed between LDGC and zirconia under white background only. Lithium disilicate glass ceramic (LDGC) had higher biaxial fracture forces than zirconia. Reparable, semi-reparable, and non-reparable fractures comprised 60, 30, and 10% of the overall fracture modes, respectively, with significant differences between and within groups (p = 0.034).

CONCLUSION

AQ staining had a marked effect on the TP and ΔE* values of the tested CAD/CAM materials, but the values were within clinically acceptable levels. The optical properties were dependent on the material. Lithium disilicate glass ceramic (LDGC) had higher biaxial fracture forces than zirconia. Reparable fracture was the dominant type among the examined materials.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Glazed surface for any CAD/CAM ceramic prostheses is highly recommended. Both tested materials are strongly recommended to be used for AQ consumers.

Surface roughness and color measurements of glazed or polished hybrid, feldspathic, and Zirconia CAD/CAM restorative materials after hot and cold coffee immersion

Background

The purpose of this study evaluates and compares the effect of surface roughness (Ra) and color stability on computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) hybrid resin (Vita Enamic), feldspathic (Vitablocs® Mark II), and lithium disilicate Zirconia (Vita Suprinity) glazed or polished ceramics immersed in hot Arabic Qahwa and cold coffee.

Methods

A total of 96 standardized samples were prepared from CAD/CAM restorative materials. Half of the samples were polished as per the manufacturer’s instructions using a porcelain polishing kit, and the other half were glazed. Samples were distributed and immersed in hot Arabian Qahwa and cold coffee followed by thermocycling. Ra measurements and color changes were conducted before and after immersion. SEM images were captured from each type of glazed or polished ceramic. One-way ANOVA paired Student’s t-test, and Bonferroni test were conducted to detect significant difference between the groups. P > 0.05 was a significant level.

Results

Of all the tested samples, Ra increased without any significant difference; however, mean color changes (ΔE*) showed significant differences. An increase in Ra was noted for all the glazed and polished samples after immersion and thermocycling. However, differences were significant only in VM II. In addition, ΔE* was significant only in Vita Suprinity (VS) samples. For immersion groups, significant Ra changes were noticed in glazed samples, only in Vita Enamic (VE) with no ΔE*. In polished samples, mean Ra changes were observed in VM II and VS samples. Significant differences were also noticed in polished VE and VS subgroups of ΔE*.

Conclusions

Ra affects all the tested samples, providing higher values on the polished specimens. The ΔE* caused by hot Arabic Qahwa and cold coffee on glazed or polished CAD/CAM restorative materials were clinically acceptable.