The power of flavonoids: foods that lower blood pressure named
Berries, pears, apples and wine have a positive effect on blood pressure due to the flavonoids they contain. This conclusion was reached by Irish scientists from the University of Queens in Belfast, their article was published in the journal Hypertension .
Flavonoids have an antioxidant effect on the body, relieve inflammation and affect blood circulation.
For the study, experts used data from almost a thousand people aged 25 to 82 years. They studied nutrition, blood pressure and medical history.
As a result of the analysis of the data, it turned out that the people who ate the most foods rich in flavonoids had lower systolic blood pressure and a more diverse microbiome (the collection of microbes that inhabit the body).
Thus, the consumption of about 130 grams of berries per day correlated with an average decrease in systolic blood pressure by 4.1 millimeters of mercury, and about 12% of this correlation was explained by factors of the gut microbiome.
Drinking 350 milliliters of red wine per week resulted in a decrease in systolic blood pressure by an average of 3.7 millimeters of mercury.
Earlier, cardiologist Ekaterina Savchenko gave some advice on how to avoid an increase in blood pressure. For example, you need to give up bad habits, reduce salt intake, and maintain optimal body weight.
