Are grapefruits good for high blood pressure

HIGH blood pressure symptoms are rarely noticeable, but when signs do show, they may include chest pain and an irregular heartbeat. Incorporating certain foods into your diet can help lower your reading, and one many health experts recommend is a citrus fruit.

13:14, Wed, Jun 27, 2018 | UPDATED: 07:07, Thu, Jun 28, 2018

High blood pressure: NHS doctor explains causes

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High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is common and affects more than one in four adults in the UK.

But a significant majority of people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms, states Bupa.

In rare circumstances when people do experience symptoms, they may have a headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, heart palpitations and nose bleeds.

Losing excess weight, eating less salt, sugar and saturated fat are among the recommended forms of treatment the health organisation recommends.

Some health experts, such as Dr Sarah Brewer, say grapefruit is one of the most effective natural remedies for high blood pressure.

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Grapefruit is one of the most effective natural remedies for high blood pressure

On her website Mylowerbloodpressure.com, Dr Brewer explains: “As a member of the citrus family, grapefruit is a good source of vitamin C, with a single fruit supplying at least half of your daily requirement.

“Grapefruit contain citrus bioflavonoids (eg limonene, hesperidin, tangeritin and naringenin) which also have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

“Together, these antioxidants help to protect against hardening and furring up of the arteries – a key contributor to the age-related increase in blood pressure that occurs in many people.”

Dr Brewer adds that as a source of potassium, grapefruit also helps to flush sodium through the kidneys to reduce fluid retention and lower blood pressure.

But grapefruit also has many food-drug interactions of which you need to be wary.

High blood pressure symptoms: Certain foods can help lower your reading (Image: GETTY)

High blood pressure symptoms can include a headache and shortness of breath (Image: GETTY)

Dr Brewer says: “Some of these involve some blood pressure drugs and statins that are often prescribed to people with hypertension, whether or not their cholesterol is raised.”

Fish oil may also be one of the most effective natural remedies for high blood pressure.

Dr Brewer said: “Many trials show that high dose fish oils (above 3g per day) can lower blood pressure, but latest research suggests that lower doses of fish oil, which are easily achieved by eating more fish, are also worthwhile.”

But how does it work? Dr Brewer explained: “The long-chain omega-3s, EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), are thought to increase the production of signalling molecules that have beneficial effects on heart rate, heart work load and arterial dilation.”

While DHA and EPA enriched fish oils are available in supplement form, you can obtain a lower level of EPA and DHA by eating two or three portions of oily fish per week, Dr Brewer added.

High blood pressure symptoms: Grapefruit is one of the most effective natural remedies (Image: GETTY)

Oily fish recommendations include mackerel, herring, salmon, trout, sardines, pilchards, and fresh tuna (not tinned).

Regular exercise is also one of the most effective natural remedies for hypertension.

Dr Brewer said: “As far back as the 1960s, the Honolulu Heart Study showed that active men were less likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, raised cholesterol levels or experience a heart attack or stroke than men who led a sedentary life.

“Twenty years later, the Harvard alumni study showed that men who took part in vigorous sports were 35 per cent less likely to develop high blood pressure over a 10 year period than those who were physically inactive.

“A year later, both men and women in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study were found to have a 52 per cent higher risk of developing hypertension than those who were physically active.”

What is considered a normal blood pressure reading? The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your your blood pressure checked, as symptoms can be hard to detect.

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