Here I present two colorful options for lowering your blood pressure that you can find in the supermarket. These food cures, dense with nutrients, act as medicine. They are tomatoes and pomegranate juice.
Pomegranate juice is known for it rich antioxidant content, even higher than any other natural juice and red wine. There are several studies that show this vitamin-rich beverage could help lower blood pressure levels.
There are two key studies to consider regarding pomegranate juice.
In one, hypertensive patients were given pomegranate juice (50 milliliters a day) for two weeks. A five-percent decrease in systolic blood pressure and a 36% reduction in ACE activity were noted in these subjects. ACE is an enzyme involved the process behind the narrowing of blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure.
In the other study, 10 patients were given the pomegranate juice for one year and five of them continued for up to three years. Systolic blood pressure dropped after one year by 12%, but had no further reduction after three years.
Based on both animal and human studies, foods rich in antioxidants may be useful in lowering blood pressure. Tomatoes are the second most produced and consumed vegetable in the U.S. (though technically the tomato is a fruit). It is famously rich in “lycopene,” a powerful antioxidant. It also packs high levels of beta-carotene, folate, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and flavonoids.
Lycopene is the pigment responsible for the red color in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, guava and rosehip. High lycopene consumption has been associated with a decreased risk of stroke, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular diseases.
In a recent meta-analysis of four studies on the effect of lycopene on blood pressure revealed that there was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure compared with control by 5.60 mmHg. Lycopene did not, though, have any effect on diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, the blood-pressure-lowering effect of lycopene was more pronounced in those with high blood pressure.
And, in one study. 32 type 2 diabetic male patients were assigned to consume 200 grams of raw tomato daily for eight weeks. A significant lowering effect of tomato consumption on systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed.
Here are the previous parts of this blood pressure series:
Foods that Raise Blood Pressure
What You Need to Understand About Blood Pressure
The Doctors’ Solution for Hypertension
DASH to Lower Your Blood Pressure
Four Minerals to Combat High Blood Pressure
The Protein to Lower Blood Pressure