High blood pressure is a problem for many people; in fact, in America around 76.4 million adults suffer from high blood pressure, the American Heart Association notes. High blood pressure can greatly increase your risk for a life-threatening stroke or heart attack. This condition can develop in anyone, no matter what your race, age or gender. Fortunately, there are some natural options for dealing with this problem. Celery juice in particular has gotten increasing attention due to its purportedly beneficial effect on high blood pressure.
Effects of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can cause your blood vessels to swell and rupture and can lead to the formation of blood clots and waste in your arteries. As a result, your heart and kidneys have to work harder to fill their respective bodily functions. High blood pressure can potentially lead to several debilitating or life-threatening diseases, such as stroke, congestive heart failure, kidney disorders, heart attacks, blurred vision and blindness, the American Heart Association explains.
Who is at Risk?
Though high blood pressure can develop in anyone, there are certain groups who are at especially high risk either due to lifestyle choices or physical factors, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes. People over the age of 55, those with a family history of high blood pressure and African-Americans are all more likely to develop this disorder. If you regularly eat foods with high sodium content, do not get regular physical exercise, smoke or drink heavily or are overweight, your chances of getting hypertension are similarly increased. You may require treatment if your blood pressure is greater than 140/90.
How Celery Helps
Celery and celery juice contain active compounds called phthalides that can help alleviate high blood pressure, the Institute of Health Sciences reports. These phthalides cause the muscles in and around your arteries to relax, thereby allowing blood vessels to dilate. This decreases the pressure inside the vessels and reduces the incidence of ruptures and scarring within. In addition to these benefits, celery reportedly helps lower stress hormones and blood pressure and contains lots of minerals, such as potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Recommended Dosage
Eating just four stalks a day of celery or drinking the equivalent in juice is enough to help lower your blood pressure, US Gyms.net explains. You can meet this minimum consumption level in several ways: add chopped celery stalks and leaves to salads; mix celery juice with orange or carrot juice; add celery leaves and stalks to casseroles, soups, stews and stir fry dishes; and enjoy celery stalks with a dollop of peanut butter on top. Aside from eating a healthy diet, you should also try to lower your blood pressure by quitting smoking, moderating alcohol consumption, getting regular exercise and losing excess weight.
References
- American Heart Association; About High Blood Pressure; June 2011
- American Heart Association; What is High Blood Pressure?; June 2011
- Mayo Clinic; 10 Ways to Control High Blood Pressure Without Medication; March 2011
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration; High Blood Pressure (Hypertension); October 2009
- US Gyms.net: Natural Reduction of High Blood Pressure
- Institute of Health Sciences; Celery Juice Prevents High Blood Pressure; March 2011
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