CHERRY JUICE For Lowering HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. HOW Do Cherries help Lower Your BLOOD PRESSURE?

Tart Cherry Juice Effectively Lowers BLOOD PRESSURE! Drink cherry juice to reduce high blood pressure. Drinking cherry juice is as good as medication in reducing high blood pressure. Drinking cherry juice can significantly reduce high blood pressure, particularly in males with early hypertension, to a level comparable to that achieved by medication, new research has found. High blood pressure if left untreated, increases risk of heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, stroke or dementia. The findings showed that men who drank tart Montmorency cherry juice — a variety of sour cherry — saw a peak reduction in their blood pressure of seven millimetre of mercury (mmHg) in the three hours after consuming the drink. This reduction is comparable to the level achieved by anti-hypertensive drugs, the researchers said. When phenolic acids, protocatechuic and vanillic — compounds present within the cherry concentrate — reached their peak levels in the plasma, systolic blood pressure showed greatest improvement. “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,” said lead author Karen Keane, lecturer at Northumbria University in Britain. Raised blood pressure is the leading cause of deaths from heart diseases, yet relatively small reductions in blood pressure can have a large impact on mortality rates, Keane added in the paper published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The team worked with fifteen participants who were displaying early hypertension with blood pressure readings of at least 130/90 mmHg, meaning they were at higher risk of experiencing heart related problems. They were given either 60ml of a Montmorency cherry concentrate or the same amount of a commercially available fruit-flavoured cordial. Blood pressure and blood samples were taken before the cherry concentrate was consumed and blood pressure was measured on an hourly basis thereafter. Cherry Juice for Blood Pressure High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most common ailments, affecting about one in three Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can make you more likely to develop life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and stroke. However, cherry juice may help to keep your blood pressure within normal levels and protect you from more serious conditions. Cherry Juice Benefits Cherry juice is a very rich source of anthocyanins, which are antioxidant compounds that help to neutralize free radicals, or unstable oxygen molecules. Free radicals can damage your blood vessels, leading to increases in blood pressure. High levels of inflammation can also cause high blood pressure. That can damage your kidneys, which play a role in controlling blood pressure. Evidence At the Experimental Biology meeting in 2011, researchers from the University of Michigan, University of Arizona and Brunswick labs presented their findings on cherries and cardiovascular health. In three studies, they found that cherries significantly lowered levels of inflammation, and they attributed this benefit to the anthocyanins that give cherries their red color. Cherries also helped overweight and obese participants to lose weight and body fat, two factors that can increase blood pressure. Sources Cherries are members of the Rosaceae family and are classified into two groups — Prunus avium L., or sweet cherry, and Prunus cerasus L., which is the tart or sour cherry commonly used in cooking. They come in many varieties and some of the most popular in the United States are Bing, Montmorency, Rainier and Lambert. Regardless of which variety you choose, you will be able to take advantage of their antioxidant-rich juice to help treat blood pressure. Considerations If you have risk factors for high blood pressure such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, high-fat diet, cigarette smoking or diabetes, consult your doctor for a diagnosis. High blood pressure should be treated under the guidance of a doctor. When drinking cherry juice to help regulate your blood pressure, choose low-sugar varieties or make your own juice at home from fresh cherries.