These two juices together can lower high blood pressure

0-These two juice together can lower high blood pressure — Credit: Unsplash+

A new study by researchers at King’s College London has found that drinking grapefruit juice alongside beetroot juice could enhance the blood-pressure-lowering effects of beetroot juice. This discovery could offer an additional dietary tool for managing high blood pressure, a condition that affects millions worldwide.

Beetroot is well-known for its health benefits, particularly its ability to lower blood pressure. This effect is largely due to its high nitrate content, which helps relax and widen blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow.

Beets are also rich in folate, a nutrient that protects blood vessels and reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Previous studies have shown that beetroot juice, when consumed regularly, can significantly reduce blood pressure.

Grapefruit is another nutrient-packed food with potential heart-health benefits. This low-calorie fruit is rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium, and lycopene.

These nutrients contribute to overall heart health by supporting healthy blood vessels and reducing cholesterol levels. Grapefruit is also low on the glycemic index, meaning it provides energy and nutrients without spiking blood sugar levels.

In this study, the researchers wanted to see if grapefruit juice could amplify beetroot juice’s blood-pressure-lowering effects. Previous findings suggested that grapefruit juice might slow the conversion of nitrate (from beetroot juice) to nitrite in the blood, which could influence how long the nitrate remains active in the body.

To test this, the team worked with 11 healthy volunteers. Each participant received one of three combinations: active beetroot juice (a 70-mL shot) mixed with 250 mL of grapefruit juice, beetroot juice mixed with water, or a placebo with no beetroot or grapefruit juice. The researchers then monitored the participants’ blood pressure over several hours.

The results showed that combining grapefruit juice with beetroot juice was more effective at lowering blood pressure than beetroot juice with water.

Systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, dropped by 4.2 mmHg within two and a half hours of drinking the beetroot and grapefruit combination. Five hours later, the systolic pressure was still 3.3 mmHg lower.

This reduction also affected pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure), suggesting improved heart and vessel health.

Interestingly, even though grapefruit juice reduced nitrite levels in the blood, it still enhanced the blood-pressure-lowering effects of beetroot juice. The exact reason for this is not fully understood, and the researchers recommend further studies to explore the mechanism behind this interaction.

While these findings are promising, it’s important to note that the study involved a small sample size of 11 participants.

Larger studies are needed to confirm these results. Additionally, grapefruit juice can interact with certain medications, so anyone considering adding it to their diet in large amounts should consult their doctor first.

Diet plays a key role in managing blood pressure. Here are some tips for a heart-healthy diet:

Eat more fruits and vegetables: Aim for at least five servings a day to get essential nutrients and antioxidants.
Reduce salt intake: High salt consumption can raise blood pressure. Avoid processed foods, use herbs and spices instead of salt, and limit table salt use.
Choose whole grains: Foods like brown rice, quinoa, and oatmeal provide fiber, which can help maintain healthy blood pressure.
Include lean protein: Opt for chicken, fish, beans, or lentils instead of red meat.
Consider the DASH diet: This eating plan focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy, while limiting salt and unhealthy fats.

This study adds to a growing body of research on how diet can impact heart health. For example, other studies suggest blackcurrants may improve artery function, while early time-restricted eating could aid in weight loss and blood pressure control. Another recent finding links zinc intake to a lower risk of heart disease death.

The research on beetroot and grapefruit juice was conducted by Kevin O’Gallagher and colleagues and published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. While more research is needed, this combination could become a simple, natural way to support heart health and lower blood pressure.

If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.

For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.