The NHS confirmed that a reading of 140/90mmHg is considered high blood pressure, which puts your life at risk. Consumption of one cheap fruit could help improve your health. Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, researchers assessed the sustained and acute effects of fruit consumption. In particular, 159 participants either received a placebo or a fruit drink that naturally contains hesperidin.
The researchers concluded that hesperidin in orange juice reduces systolic blood pressure after “sustained consumption” – and even after a single dose.
The chronic consumption of orange juice was shown to “enhance its postprandial effect”.
Thus the researchers theorised that orange juice consumption could be ideal to help manage the blood pressure of people who have pre-hypertension.
Pre-hypertension
WebMD explained that prehypertension – otherwise known as stage one hypertension – means the systolic blood pressure reading is between 120mmHg to 139mmHg.
This includes losing weight if you are currently overweight.
Another important step is to exercise regularly, and to eat a healthy diet full of:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Fish
- Low-fat dairy.
It’s also helpful to cut back on dietary salt, saturated and trans fats.
Furthermore, a vegetarian or plant-based diet could be helpful, as could only drinking alcohol in moderation.