High blood pressure: Three vegetable juices that could reduce hypertension - study

msn.com:

blood pressure and the risks that come with it. In fact, around a third of all adults in the UK are living with hypertension, which increases the risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

A common factor in high blood pressure is not eating enough vegetables - as well as fruit. But for those struggling to get enough veggies in their diets, researchers from universities in China have concluded that different vegetable juices are capable of decreasing blood pressure by analysing results of multiple trials.

The report, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, revealed drinks made from root vegetables - beetroot, carrot and yam bean - were effective in reducing blood pressure, while "commercial" vegetable drinks containing beetroot also worked.

It says: "The studies showed that fruit and vegetable juices affect cardiovascular risk factors, such as lowering blood pressure and improving blood lipid profiles. "The main mechanisms of action included antioxidant effects, improvement of the aspects of the cardiovascular system, inhibition of platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory effects, and prevention of hyperhomocysteinemia. READ MORE: High cholesterol: Cramp in five areas of the body can signal a build-up in the arteries"Drinking juices might be a potential way to improve cardiovascular health, especially mixtures of juices because they contain a variety of polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals from different fruits and vegetables. "More specifically the analysis showed beetroot juice decreased blood pressure in healthy individuals as well as those with hypertension.