Yahoo News Four common fruit drinks that could slash your risk of heart disease
Four common fruit juices could be the key to reducing your risk of heart disease, but which one tops the list? High blood pressure is a widespread issue, affecting approximately one in three adults in the UK.
This condition, characterised by the forceful pumping of blood against artery walls, can lead to serious health complications if left unchecked. Known also as hypertension, it's a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Heart and circulatory issues are among the leading causes of death in the UK, often resulting from fatty deposits accumulating in the arteries around the heart, reports the Mirror. Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of your arteries, impedes blood flow through them.
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The likelihood of developing this condition increases with high cholesterol and high blood pressure, hence the emphasis on maintaining low blood pressure.The Harvard School of Public Health suggests that diet plays a crucial role in managing blood pressure - enter our four fruit juices.
So, how can fruit juices assist? Consuming foods and drinks rich in potassium is recommended, as this mineral aids in flushing out sodium from the body, a known contributor to high blood pressure.
The more potassium you consume, the more sodium your body can expel through urine. The essential mineral also helps to relax blood vessel walls, further reducing blood pressure.
The health body explains: "Sodium and potassium are two interrelated minerals that play major roles in regulating blood pressure and a healthy heart. Eating less salty foods and more potassium-rich foods may significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease."
"Potassium is found in many foods, especially fruits, vegetables, legumes, and low-fat dairy. But eating a lot of sodium-rich foods especially from processed breads, packaged snacks, canned goods, and fast-food meals while skimping on potassium can increase cardiovascular disease risk."
Where can I get more potassium? Several foods are high in potassium, but some contain more than others.
Medical News Today says there are four fruit drinks that possess high amounts of the mineral; these are the fresh juice from passion fruits, pomegranates, oranges and tangerines.
A standard cup of each drink contains the following amounts: As a comparison, a banana - often touted as a great source of the mineral - has around 358 mg of the mineral.
Many of us have high blood pressure without knowing. It's important to get your blood pressure checked regularly, even if you feel absolutely fine.
While the British Heart Foundation (BHF) says high blood pressure 'rarely has noticeable symptoms', the following can be a sign of the condition:
Shortness of breath.
Headaches.
Nosebleeds.
Chest pain.
Dizziness.
Leading American medical research centre, Mayo Clinic has warned: "Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels."
In line with this, UK's National Health Services emphasises that the only way to know your blood pressure level is through testing. Readers aged above 40 are advised to make arrangements for a reading every five years at the minimum.
The Cleveland Clinic in America explains a blood pressure reading as composed of two numbers known as 'systolic' and 'diastolic'.
The clinic further states: "The top number is the systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure on the blood vessel walls when your heart beats or contracts. While the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure on your blood vessels between beats when your heart is relaxing."
A reading of 140/90mmHg or above (or 150/90mmHg or above for anyone aged over 80)is understood as high blood pressure. An ideal blood pressure reading oscillates between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
National charity, Blood Pressure UK recommends consumption of alcohol only in sensible quantities, weight loss for those who need it, quitting smoking and limiting caffeine intake. Apart from these, the institution is of the belief that physical activity is an excellent strategy to lower your risks associated with heart and circulatory disease by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
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