12/27/2019 / By Evangelyn Rodriguez
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a health condition that leads to atherosclerosis or the narrowing of the arteries. Hypertension also increases a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke. While modern medicine prescribes conventional treatments for hypertension in the form of anti-hypertensive drugs, research suggests that natural remedies which could reduce blood pressure can be found in foods.
In a study published in the Journal of Hypertension, researchers from La Trobe University in Australia reviewed randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of herbs and spices on blood pressure. They found that these natural ingredients can effectively lower the blood pressure of hypertensive and pre-hypertensive patients without affecting the blood pressure of healthy ones. This makes herbs and spices wonderful alternatives to anti-hypertensive agents which cannot discriminate between normal and abnormal blood pressure.
High blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, affects one billion people worldwide. Studies suggest that some herbs and spices offer cardiovascular benefits, such as decreasing blood pressure. However, the results of these studies are inconsistent.
The Australian researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of these natural medicines on the blood pressure of normotensive (normal blood pressure), pre-hypertensive and hypertensive participants. They searched several databases for studies that matched their criteria.
The researchers found a total of nine articles to use for their meta-analysis. Three of the nine studies reported statistically significant results. One of those three involved hypertensive participants, while the other two involved pre-hypertensive participants. Only one study involved normotensive participants. It reported no changes in their blood pressure after treatment.
The results of those three studies suggested that certain herbs and spices can selectively reduce the blood pressure of people who have high blood pressure or are pre-hypertensive. They, however, exert no influence on people with normal blood pressure.
According to a study published in Pharmacognosy Review, about 80 percent of the world’s population rely on herbal medicines for primary health care because the human body can tolerate them much better than conventional medicines, which also cause many unpleasant side effects. Due to the increasing number of people who use them, scientists have devoted a lot of effort and resources into understanding their hypotensive and anti-hypertensive abilities. (Related: Blood pressure meds are totally worthless.)
Here are 10 herbs and spices whose blood pressure-lowering properties have been proven by science. (h/t to Healthline.com)
Today, various medicinal herbs are not only used for culinary purposes, they are also made into health supplements. While some herbs cause little to no side effects, some can interfere with certain medications. For your safety, always seek professional advice before using herbal remedies or supplements.
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Tagged Under: alternative medicine, blood pressure, food cures, food is medicine, functional food, heart disease, heart health, herbal medicine, Herbs, hypertension, natural cures, natural health, natural medicine, phytonutrients, prevention, remedies, research, Spices
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