High blood pressure: Best fruits to include in your diet to help reduce hypertension risk
High blood pressure or hypertension is a major health issue. Management of the disease reduces the risk of adverse outcomes, such as cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, vision impairment due to retinal damage, and renal failure. What are some of the best fruits to consume to help lower your readings?
Citrus fruits have demonstrated antihypertensive properties.
A single-blind randomized crossover study of 22 healthy patients aged 18–59 showed that after drinking 500 ml/day of commercial citrus sinensis juice, blood pressure had decreased, while natural orange juice did not show significant effects.
Citrus paradisi juice, from grapefruit, has many beneficial properties and is a good source of vitamin C, pectin fibre, and antioxidants.
Extract from grapefruit peels is high in polyphenols, which act as strong inhibitors of α-glucosidase and can be used in the management of hypertension.
Studies indicate that when compared, grapefruit juice produced a greater decrease in mean arterial pressure than orange juice.
