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Scientists at Northumbria University have found that people who drank 60ml of Montmorency cherry concentrate, diluted with water, saw a reaction similar to patients who have taken blood pressure medication. Within three hours, their blood pressure dropped 7 percent, which is enough to reduce the risk of stroke by 38 percent and lower the chance of developing heart disease by 23 percent.
The potentially life-saving advantages of drinking cherry juice for high blood pressure could be due to its richness in phenolic acids, which are a type of naturally-occurring antioxidant. They are in the same family of beneficial antioxidants found in berries that have been praised by nutritionists for years.
The team, who published their work in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, performed their test on 15 volunteers who were displaying early signs of high blood pressure. These volunteers were either given the 60ml Montmorency cherry concentrate diluted in 100ml of water, or a placebo drink of the same volume and fruity taste.
The researchers came to their conclusion after comparing the results between the two groups, noting that those who drank the cherry concentrate in water all saw their peak blood pressure drop seven percent more than the placebo group.
Furthermore, while tracking the volunteers, the scientists found that as two specific phenolic acids reached peak levels in the patients’ blood, those volunteers were simultaneously enjoying the greatest amount of improvement in their blood pressure. These particular phenolic acids are protocatechuic and vanillic acid.
Study leader Karen Keane, funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute, explained, “The majority of cardiovascular disease is caused by risk factors that can be controlled, treated or modified. These include high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, tobacco use, lack of physical activity and diabetes.
“Raised blood pressure is the leading cause of deaths from cardiovascular disease, yet relatively small reductions in blood pressure can have a large impact on mortality rates. The magnitude of the blood-pressure-lowering effects we observed was comparable to those achieved by a single anti-hypertensive drug and highlights the potential importance that Montmorency cherries could have in the effective management of high blood pressure.”
“This is the first study to investigate the acute effects of Montmorency tart cherry consumption on blood pressure, arterial stiffness and microvascular vasodilation in males with early hypertension,” added co-author Professor Glyn Howatson. “This exciting set of data complements a growing body of research to show that eating the right sorts of foods can provide potential health benefits.
“We believe these benefits might be linked to the combined actions of some of the plant compounds within the Montmorency concentrate and the positive impact they exert on vascular function.”
Hypertension is a serious problem in many countries. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, six million Canadians adults have high blood pressure, and approximately 1 in 6 are unaware of their condition. The statistics are even worse in the United States — about 70 million, or 1 in 3, American adults are living with hypertension. Left untreated, it can lead to coronary artery disease, dementia, heart and kidney failure, and other chronic diseases.
Normal blood pressure is under 120/80. It is now believed by some doctors that even short periods of consistently raised blood pressure can cause damage to the heart and other organs, so keeping your blood pressure under control is essential to your overall health. Maintain an ideal body weight, avoid binge-drinking, reduce excess fats and sodium in your diet, and refrain from smoking in order to help improve your chances for a stable, healthy blood pressure.
And, while you’re at it, have a bit of cherry juice.
The post Drinking Cherry Juice Can Help Reduce High Blood Pressure appeared first on NUTRITION CLUB CANADA.
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