Phillip Schofield gets blood pressure checked in Istanbul in 1991
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High blood pressure or hypertension describes the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. When this pressure exceeds the normal threshold, it forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around the body. When this process continues and is left untreated, a person is at higher risk of developing a heart attack or stroke down the line. One study has shown an unusual drink can help to not only reduce hypertension risk but also lower your cholesterol levels.
Prune juice has long been known to help alleviate constipation and get the digestive system working efficiently.
Another lesser-known benefit is its ability to not only lower cholesterol levels, but also help with hypertension.
In fact, studies have shown its ability to help reduce cardiovascular risks by sampling drinking prune juice.
In one study, prunes and its hypertension benefits were analysed.
A placebo controlled clinical trial study looked at the effects of Prunus on blood pressure
Treated groups drank prune juice and ate the whole fruit (dried plums) while either three (about 11.5 gm) or six prunes were soaked overnight in a glass of water whereas the control group took only a glass of plain water early in the morning on empty stomach.
Blood pressure was recorded fortnightly for eight weeks, and blood samples were taken.
“There was significant reduction of blood pressure by single dose of prunes daily group and the controls,” noted the study.
It added: “The control group had significantly increased serum HDL whereas test groups had significantly reduced serum cholesterol.
“The data predicts cardiovascular protective effects of prunes.”
Some of the main health benefits of prune juice include:
- A source of potassium, which supports normal blood pressure and helps your muscles work normally
- Naturally fat free
- Naturally saturated fat free. Reducing consumption of saturated fat helps maintain normal blood cholesterol levels.
- Naturally salt-free. Reducing intake of sodium (salt) helps maintain normal blood pressure.
- A source of fibre.
Other key habits to help lower your blood pressure include:
- Lose weight
- Exercise more
- Lift weights
- Read nutrition labels
- Reduce salt from diet
- Limit alcohol
- Relieve stress.
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