Cherry juice significantly lowers high blood pressure

by Stepy — May 10, 2016

Cherry juice significantly lowers high blood pressure

Drinking cherry juice significantly lowers high blood pressure, according to new research from Northumbria University, Newcastle.

The researchers found that men with early signs of high blood pressure had a 7 percent reduction in blood pressure after drinking Montmorency cherry concentrate compared to drinking a fruit drink.

For perspective, this reduction is comparable to blood pressure medication.

The researchers from Northumbria worked with 15 participants with high blood pressure of at least 130/90 mmHg. This level of blood pressure put them at risk for cardiovascular problems.

The study abstract reported the following about the results:

Subgroup analyses showed the most marked relation between sugar intakes and lipids in studies in which efforts were made to ensure an energy balance and when no difference in weight change was reported. Potential explanatory factors, including a weight change, in most instances explained <15% of the heterogeneity between studies (I² = 36–75%). The effect of sugar intake on blood pressure was greatest in trials ≥8 wk in duration [MD: 6.9 mm Hg (95% CI: 3.4, 10.3 mm Hg; P < 0.001) for systolic blood pressure and 5.6 mm Hg (95% CI: 2.5, 8.8 mm Hg; P = 0.0005) for diastolic blood pressure].

Karen Keane, the lead author of the study explained: “The majority of cardiovascular disease is caused by risk factors that can be controlled, treated or modified, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, tobacco use, lack of physical activity and diabetes. Raised blood pressure is the leading cause of deaths from cardiovascular disease, yet relatively small reductions in blood pressure can have a large impact on mortality rates.”

“The magnitude of the blood pressure lowering effects we observed was comparable to those achieved by a single anti-hypertensive drug and highlights the potential importance that Montmorency cherries could have in the effective management of high blood pressure,” Keane added.

Prof. Glyn Howatson, one of the lead researchers also added: “This is the first study to investigate the acute effects of Montmorency tart cherry consumption on blood pressure, arterial stiffness and microvascular vasodilation in males with early hypertension. This exciting set of data complements a growing body of research to show that eating the right sorts of foods can provide potential health benefits.”

“We believe these benefits might be linked to the combined actions of some of the plant compounds within the Montmorency concentrate and the positive impact they exert on vascular function.”

The study showing that cherry juice significantly lowers high blood pressure was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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REFERENCES:
1. “High Blood Pressure Lowers Significantly after Drinking Tart Montmorency Cherry Juice.” Northumbria University. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2016.
2. “Dietary Sugars and Cardiometabolic Risk: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials of the Effects on Blood Pressure and Lipids.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2016.