High blood pressure: A daily drink of this juice could help lower your reading

High blood pressure occurs when blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels. Blood pressure measurement takes into account how much blood is passing through the blood vessels and the amount of resistance the blood meets while the heart is pumping. Narrow arteries increase resistance and the narrower the arteries are, the higher blood pressure will be. Food and drink can either help or hinder the condition and one particular drink has been proven to help lower blood pressure readings.

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In a study conducted by health and science institutions in Japan, a certain juice has been proven to help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.

The research involved 500 people who were provided with a year’s supply of the drink as part of the study.

Researchers conducted medical examinations at the start and end of the study, with the results eventually published in the Food Science and Nutrition journal.

The study found that drinking unsalted tomato juice lowered blood pressure and LDL cholesterol in Japanese adults at risk of cardiovascular disease.

At the end of the study, blood pressure in 94 participants with untreated prehypertension or hypertension dropped significantly.

LDL cholesterol levels in 125 participants with high cholesterol decreased from an average of 155.0 to 149.9 mg/dL.

What the expert said

The authors of the study wrote: “To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to investigate the effects of tomato or tomato product intake on cardiovascular disease risk markers over the course of a year and over a wide range.”

The NHS added: “It is impossible to tell if the results had anything to do with tomato juice or if they’re related to other factors.”

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The NHS said that the study had a number of limitations, including the fact it failed to acknowledge any medical treatment being received by participants, such as statins, which may have been the cause of the reduced cholesterol levels, for example.

The NHS said: “Tomato juice can be part of a healthy diet but it’s recommended to not consume more than one serving of fruit juice a day due to the high sugar content.”

Researches say lycopene, a chemical that gives tomatoes their famous red colour, prevented plaque from building up in participants arteries causing a drop in blood pressure.

They claim lycopene works by inhibiting LDL a harmful type of cholesterol that leads to hardening of the arteries.

The study also claims compounds found in tomatoes decrease the absorption of dietary cholesterol in the small intestine and cholesterol synthesis in the liver.

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