How to use tomatoes to lower high blood pressure
There are several studies that support the medicinal properties of the tomato. In particular, there is evidence that this vegetable contributes to lowering high blood pressure. Learn more about it.
High blood pressure, or high blood pressure, is known as “silent death” disease. This is because it is an evil that often goes unnoticed, despite its severity . It is estimated that up to 20% of those affected do not even know that they have this problem.
Between 90 and 95% of cases of high blood pressure correspond to primary or essential hypertension. That means that it is not caused by another disease. The remaining percentage does have to do with other conditions, or is caused by medications or pregnancy.
The symptoms of high blood pressure are not very specific and often are not even perceived. However, in some cases there are palpitations in the chest or head, dizziness and discomfort. In spite of everything, most often there are no forceful manifestations.
High blood pressure
Hypertension increases the risk of serious cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke.
The heart pumps blood throughout the body and does this through arteries, veins, and capillaries. In turn, when the blood circulates it puts pressure on the walls of the arteries . Some devices measure the strength of that pressure, and the result is called the blood pressure index.
There are small arteries called arterioles. They regulate blood flow in the body and sometimes become narrower. Science does not know the precise reason why this occurs. Under these conditions, the heart has to work harder to pump the blood. This leads to increased pressure in the blood vessels and high blood pressure is generated.
Continued hypertension causes significant damage to the body. Due to the pressure that is exerted inside the arteries, these can harden. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke . It is also possible for the heart to enlarge and damage to the eyes or kidneys.
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A study on the common tomato
A study on the relationship between tomato and high blood pressure was conducted at the Soroka Medical Center in Israel . The concern to investigate the subject was based, in part, on the fact that Italians have a lower prevalence of hypertensive people than in other parts of the world.
To verify the hypotheses, a group of patients who suffered from hypertension, but did not respond well to medications, was selected. All were administered a series of tomato supplements, for four weeks. All group members showed significant improvement.
This was due to the fact that tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that is associated with the prevention of heart disease . Likewise, it protects good arterial health. Apparently, the ideal is to consume four tomatoes a day, either whole or in various preparations.
Due to its lycopene content, tomato turns out to be a good complement to regulate blood pressure.
A study on tree tomato
Tree tomato, also called tamarillo, cigomandra, or French tomato, is also an excellent food for regulating hypertension. This fruit is grown mainly in the tropics and is consumed mainly in juice.
In 2016, several universities and institutions in Ecuador and Venezuela carried out a study on the medicinal properties of the tree tomato . The results indicated that this fruit positively affects lowering blood pressure in people diagnosed as hypertensive .
Likewise, it was verified that it contributes to lowering the levels of triglycerides and HDL cholesterol . According to research, the daily consumption of tree tomato juice, for six continuous weeks, reduces hypertension and modulates glucose metabolism.
How to use tomato for high blood pressure
As we have already noted, ideally, people with high blood pressure consume four raw tomatoes a day. However, this is monotonous and not very pleasant after a while. The good news is that there are delicious ways to introduce a significant amount of tomatoes to your diet.
The first, and perhaps most obvious, way is to make tomato sauce and put it in food. Tomato goes very well with almost everything. You can add it to beans, pasta and almost all salt preparations. It gives a wonderful flavor to almost all dishes.
One of the interesting aspects is that the tomato maintains its nutritional properties, regardless of the type of preparation that is made . So you can drink it in juice, make a tomato cream or eat it in a salad.
For its part, the tree tomato is almost always taken in juice . You can also make a sauce to accompany sweet or savory dishes, or prepare a rich cake based on this fruit.
Do you have high blood pressure? As you just noticed, tomato can be a good complement to restore it to normal levels. However, it is essential to clarify that it does not replace the medications prescribed by the doctor. Keep that in mind!
