Drinking cherry juice can drop blood pressure levels by 7 percent, according to new study. Similar to blood pressure pills, the new study has found that people who drank 60 ml of cherry concentrate had lower blood pressure levels within three hours.
Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study tested 15 participants with early signs of high blood pressure levels. Participants had readings of at least 130/90 mmHG, which posed them at a higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular-related conditions, according to Huffington Post.
The volunteers were then given 60 ml of a Montmorency cherry concentrate, which was diluted in 100 ml of water. Other participants were given a placebo fruit-flavored drink of the same volume.
Blood samples and blood pressure levels were taken before the cherry concentrate was consumed. Blood pressure levels were measured on an hourly basis while blood samples and cardiovascular screening tests were measured over a period of eight hours.
Scientists found that participants who drank cherry concentrate had dropped blood pressure levels by 7 percent than those who consumed the placebo fruit concoction. In just three hours after consuming the drink, participants who drank cherry concentration with water had already lowered blood pressure levels. The lowered blood pressure levels were enough to reduce the risk of stroke by 38 percent and heart disease by 23 percent.
Researchers believe that the phenolic acids, which is a naturally-occurring antioxidant, is the component responsible for the dropped blood pressure levels. The team also found that the best improvement in blood sugar levels occurred when protocatechuic and vanillic acid levels reached its peak in the patients' blood.
High blood pressure levels are the leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease, according to Karen Keane, the leader of the study. If left untreated, high blood pressure levels can increase the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease and dementia.
Since most cardiovascular diseases are caused by risk factors that can be controlled, modified or treated, the team decided to focus on the risk of high blood pressure in cardiovascular diseases. The study proves that small reductions in blood pressure levels can have a large impact on mortality rates, according to Daily Mail.
More importantly, the scientists from Northumbria University mentioned that similar impacts were noticed among patients who take blood pressure medication. The effects of cherry juice on blood pressure levels were comparable to a single anti-hypertensive drug.
