Top Foods to Support a Healthy Blood Pressure
Over 100 million Americans have high blood pressure according to the American Heart Association. Half of the American adults with high blood pressure don’t have it under control. That’s problematic given the insidious consequences of high blood pressure. It is the leading cause of stroke in the United States. It also contributes to thousands of heart attacks. High blood pressure overworks heart muscle, leading to heart failure. It damages the kidneys, erodes sight, interferes with memory, puts a damper on sexual activity, and steals years of life.
A glassful of Uncle Matt’s OJ may replenish your hydration needs, but did you know it might just do more than that? This vitamin C and nutrient dense juice delivers potassium, folate and natural bioflavonoids, all of which support your heart health, keeping you healthy and fit. But what’s more, according to a study conducted by Cleveland Clinic, participants who drank two glasses of orange juice a day witnessed a significant drop in their blood pressure levels. At the end of the final two weeks of the study, most of the patients had blood pressure within the normal range.
When you drink 100% orange juice, you’ll also get plenty of a flavonoid called hesperidin, which is found in citrus foods like lemons, limes, and 100% orange juice. Hesperidin may help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.
Orange juice also contains the B vitamin folate, which is required by the body to synthesise DNA and metabolize amino acids, thus controlling hypertension. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that men and women who consumed more folate beginning in their young adult years were at a lower risk for high blood pressure 20 years later. Orange juice contains nearly 20 percent of the required folate.
Finally, the amount of sodium and potassium in your body impacts your blood pressure. Too much sodium also can contribute to hypertension. Potassium can counterbalance high sodium levels and regulates blood pressure. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, having potassium lowers blood pressure as long as people with BP don’t have kidney disease. This is where orange juice can come to your rescue. It is abundant in potassium.
The take home? Regular consumption of OJ can be a valuable nutrition tool to help support your overall wellness.
