Grapefruit juice may increase the blood pressure-lowering effects of beetroot
study background
A recent study by researchers at King’s College London found that grapefruit juice could potentially enhance beetroot juice’s antihypertensive properties.
This discovery comes at a time when dietary measures to control blood pressure are more important than ever.
Beetroot and grapefruit: health powerhouses
Beets are high in folate and nitrates, which play important roles in controlling blood vessel damage, reducing the risk of heart disease, and relaxing and widening blood vessels to lower blood pressure.
On the other hand, grapefruit is a low-calorie fruit, rich in vitamins A and C and has a low impact on the glycemic index. Its combination of fiber, potassium, lycopene, vitamin C, and choline all contribute to heart health.
research results
The research aimed to investigate whether grapefruit juice could enhance beetroot juice’s ability to lower blood pressure by maintaining nitrite circulation.
The study involved 11 healthy volunteers who were given a 70mL shot of active beetroot juice (Beet-It) and 250mL of grapefruit juice, active beetroot juice with 250mL of water, or a placebo with no beetroot juice. juice and grapefruit juice was administered.
Results showed that adding grapefruit juice to active beetroot juice resulted in lower systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure compared to beetroot juice plus water.
Five hours after drinking beetroot juice and grapefruit juice, the participants’ systolic blood pressure decreased by 3.3 mmHg, while two and a half hours after drinking the juice mixture, the participants’ systolic blood pressure decreased by 4.2 mmHg.
Conclusions and Limitations
The study concluded that although it lowers blood nitrite levels, grapefruit juice augments the effect of beetroot juice on lowering systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure.
The results provide promising evidence that grapefruit juice may potentiate beetroot juice benefits on blood pressure, although the study is limited to a small sample size.
However, the researchers warn that grapefruit juice may interact with certain medications, so individuals should consult their doctor before consuming large amounts of it.
Diet recommendations for blood pressure control
The study underscores the importance of diet in blood pressure regulation.
Recommendations for blood pressure control include increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, reducing salt intake, eating whole grains, choosing lean protein sources, and considering the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which emphasizes nutrient-dense foods stand and at the same time salt is limited. saturated and trans fats and added sugars.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies on a safer and more effective way to treat high blood pressure. Many people with high blood pressure may be taking medications that make blood pressure worse.
You can find more information about blood pressure in current studies Added sugar in your diet is linked to higher blood pressureand results are displayed Vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
The research is published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and was published by Kevin O’Gallagher et al. carried out.
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