HeartFacts.co.uk » A bunch of grapes a day helps achieve ideal blood pressure

A bunch of grapes a day helps achieve ideal blood pressure

Posted on May 4, 2009
Filed Under Blood pressure | Leave a Comment

Strawberries, blueberries and bananas have been shown to be effective in achieving ideal blood pressure, in those individuals suffering from high blood pressure. It seems like another member of the fruit family is going to join these fruits in being successful at achieving ideal blood pressure if recent evidence is anything to go by.

A study carried out on rats has demostrated the benefit of grapes in lowering blood pressure. Two rat groups were monitored, one group that ate a diet composed of powdered green, red and black grapes along with a high salt intake, and the other group fed a high salt diet and mild blood pressure drug. After several weeks the rats were tested and it was shown that the rats eating the diet containing grapes had lower blood pressure, better heart function and less evidence of any damage to the heart muscle than the rats fed the high salt diet on the blood pressure drug. The rats on the blood pressure drug did actually show a reduction in blood pressure but their hearts were not protected from damage.

This beneficial effect is being attributed to phytochemicals present in grapes. These phytochemicals have been shown to stimulate the action of genes involved in glutathione production. As mentioned before glutathione helps prevent free radical damage to the heart. Free radical damage leads to high blood pressure. Glutathione levels in high blood pressure patients are often reduced, therefore a diet rich in grapes will help restore glutathione levels and achieve ideal blood pressure.