Fruit Juices That Lower Blood Pressure

There is some evidence that certain fruit juices, especially those high in potassium, may help lower blood pressure. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a disease that is highly responsive to positive dietary and lifestyle changes. For example, if you follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH eating plan, you can lower your blood pressure within a matter of weeks. DASH restricts sodium intake and increases your consumption of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, poultry, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.

Orange Juice

A 1-cup serving of orange juice contains 496 milligrams of potassium, 27 milligrams of calcium and 27 milligrams of magnesium. Potassium can prevent and control high blood pressure, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Research has not consistently proven that calcium and magnesium improve your blood pressure, but both minerals work with potassium to maintain your overall good health. In an article published in the January 2011 issue of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," French researchers reported that after four weeks of orange juice consumption, a group of overweight, middle-aged men had lower blood pressure.

Prune Juice

In the April-June issue of the "Journal of Ayub Medical College," researchers from Shifa College of Medicine in Pakistan write that in a clinical trial, 259 study participants diagnosed with pre-hypertension either consumed 250 to 500 milliliters of prune juice daily for eight weeks or were placed in a control group. At the end of the study, subjects who drank prune juice had lower blood pressure than those participants placed in a control group. A 1-cup serving of prune juice contains 707 milligrams of potassium, 31 milligrams of calcium, and 36 milligrams of magnesium.

Pomegranate Juice

One cup of pomegranate juice contains 533 milligrams of potassium, 27 milligrams of calcium and 17 milligrams of magnesium. According to an article published in the September 2001 issue of "Atherosclerosis," pomegranate juice contains "potent" antioxidants, compounds that may help protect you from chronic disease, aging and cell damage from environmental factors. In the article, researchers from The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences and Rambam Medical Center in Israel reported that pomegranate juice consumption reduced blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients by 5 percent in one study.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is often associated with having a curative effect on urinary tract infections, but some research also shows it may have a positive effect on blood pressure as well. In the November 2007 issue of "Nutrition Reviews," researchers from Tufts University reported that the polyphenols found in cranberry juice may help lower blood pressure and reduce risk of developing heart disease. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant found in plant-based food. Cranberry juice contains 194 milligrams of potassium, 20 milligrams of calcium, and 15 milligrams of magnesium.

Fruit Juices That Lower Blood Pressure

Orange Juice

Prune Juice

Pomegranate Juice

Cranberry Juice

References

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