Fruits that could reduce blood pressure and cholesterol

 

Fruits that could reduce blood pressure and cholesterol

FRUIT contains essential nutrients that keep our bodies nourished and energized. Furthermore, fruits that could reduce blood pressure and cholesterol and they are a healthier alternative to other sweet snacks. And certain fruits are especially beneficial to our hearts.

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and other berries are known to be high in antioxidants such as anthocyanins. A number of studies have supported the benefits of berries in terms of keeping our tickers in check over the years. This includes an examination of 22 scientific studies that show eating them is associated with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

According to the report, which was compiled by researchers from three Chinese hospitals, "berries are rich in a variety of polyphenols, including procyanidins, quercetin, phenolic acids, and particularly anthocyanins."

"A growing body of evidence suggests that eating berries has a wide range of biological activities in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, anticoagulant, and lipid metabolism disorders improvement."

The study used 22 randomised controlled trials to monitor the reactions of over 1,200 people to various berries such as raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries.

"The pooled result showed that berry consumption significantly lowered the low-density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, body mass index, haemoglobin, and tumour necrosis factor," according to the findings published in the journal Scientific Reports.

"However, no significant changes in other markers were observed."

"Our subgroup analyses demonstrated that berry products could be used as a potential new effective and safe supplementary option to better prevent and control CVD in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors," the study concluded.

"Further research is needed to assess the effects of berry food consumption on clinical endpoints such as cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality."

Cardiovascular disease refers to any condition that affects the heart or blood vessels.

It is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United Kingdom, accounting for more than 160,000 deaths each year.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are two of the leading causes of CVD.

"It's usually associated with a buildup of fatty deposits inside the arteries (atherosclerosis) and an increased risk of blood clots," according to the NHS.

"It has also been linked to artery damage in organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, and eyes."

In a separate study on the health benefits of berries, researchers at Creighton University Medical Centre in the United States found that the fruits can help prevent "cardiovascular disorders, advancing age-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and diverse degenerative diseases."

In their paper, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, they look at the pharmacological benefits of "OptiBerry," a new combination of selected berry extracts that includes wild blueberry, wild bilberry, cranberry, elderberry, raspberry seeds, and strawberry.

According to the study, "OptiBerry exhibits high antioxidant efficacy as evidenced by its high oxygen radical absorbance capacity values."

"Overall, berry anthocyanins promote human health and disease prevention by activating genetic signaling," the report concluded.

Search Tags

diet to lower cholesterol and blood pressure

foods to lower cholesterol and blood pressure

lower blood pressure and cholesterol

best diet to lower cholesterol and blood pressure

foods that help lower blood pressure and cholesterol

fruits that lower cholesterol and blood pressure

diet to reduce high blood pressure and high cholesterol