Fruits are powerful – no wonder they’re well-known to be part of a healthy diet. However, some fruits could be better for lowering blood pressure readings than others. Which fruit should you try?
The charity Blood Pressure UK recognised how apricots are “particularly rich in potassium”.
Thus, two pickings of the fruit could be “more helpful in controlling blood pressure”.
The American Heart Association explained how potassium plays a role in managing blood pressure.
“Potassium helps to ease tension in your blood vessel walls,” it clarified.
The charity added that the recommended intake for an average adult is 4,700mg per day.
To help start your day in the best possible way, pick up two helpings of apricots.
Researchers from the Division of Human Nutrition at Wageningen University, in the Netherlands, supported this notion.
They performed a meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials to evaluate the effects of dietary fibre on blood pressure readings.
To piece things together, 35g of apricots are reported (by Medical News Today) to contain 0.7g of dietary fibre.
Back to the investigation, the research team looked into 24 separate trials whereby data was formulated.
On average, fibre supplementation (for example, eating apricots) saw a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
The NHS elaborated that blood pressure is measured in “millimetres of mercury (mmHg)”.
Moreover, it’s represented by two figures: systolic and diastolic blood pressure – such as 120/80mmHg.
The systolic blood pressure measures “the pressure when your heart pushes blood out”.
Diastolic blood pressure measures “the pressure when your heart rests between beats”.
The research data revealed that dietary fibre reduced systolic blood pressure by 1.12mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.26mmHg.
They noted reductions in blood pressure tended to be larger in people who were over the age of 40.
Additionally, this reduction was more pronounced in those who already had high blood pressure (i.e. hypertension).
The national health body illustrated the general rule of blood pressure readings.
They go as follows: ideal blood pressure is considered between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher, while low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower.
As well as adding apricots to your breakfast plate, it’s important to reduce your blood pressure reading in other ways.
This includes doing more physical activity, eating less salt and watching your weight.
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