High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a fairly common disease, but if left untreated, it can lead to heart attack, heart failure, kidney damage and stroke. A healthy lifestyle, which includes regular exercise and a low-sodium diet, is one of the best ways to manage high blood pressure. Research also shows that adding cinnamon to your diet might help reduce blood pressure as well.
Background
Blood pressure is measured by two numbers. The top number, or systolic pressure, measures the amount of pressure generated by your beating heart. The bottom number is your diastolic pressure, which is the pressure within your blood vessels when your heart is at rest. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that your blood pressure is considered high if your systolic pressure is greater than 140 mmHg or your diastolic pressure is greater than 90 mmHg.
Research
A study reported in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" found that cinnamon can lower blood pressure. The study added cinnamon to the diet of rats and found that their glucose levels stabilized and their systolic blood pressure decreased. Therefore, cinnamon might be helpful in managing diabetes as well as reducing blood pressure.
Uses
You can increase cinnamon consumption in many ways. One of the easiest ways is to start adding it to your diet. You can sprinkle it on your morning cereal, add it to tea or coffee, or cook with it. Cinnamon tastes great when added to cooked vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes. If you don't like the taste, cinnamon supplements are also available. Always check with your doctor prior to starting a new supplement, as there can be risk factors and side effects.
Risk Factors
Typically no warning signs indicate high blood pressure's presence until it's too late, so it's important to know your risk factors and have your pressure checked regularly. Your blood pressure can be checked at your doctor's office and at some pharmacies. According to the American Heart Association, you are at an increased risk for high blood pressure if you have a family history of the disease, you consume a high sodium diet, you don't exercise, you are over 45 years of age, you are overweight, or you consume too much alcohol.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hypertension Overview
- American Heart Association: About High Blood Pressure
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; "Whole Cinnamon and Aqueous Extracts Ameliorate Sucrose-Induced Blood Pressure Elevations in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats"; Harry Preuss et al; April 2006
