Four common fruit drinks that could reduce the risk of heart disease

Four common fruit juices could be the key to reducing heart disease risk, but which ones top the list? High blood pressure is a widespread problem, affecting around one in three adults in the UK.

This condition, characterized by the forced pumping of blood against artery walls, can lead to serious health complications if left unchecked. Also known as high blood pressure, it is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Heart and circulatory problems are among the leading causes of death in the UK, often resulting from fatty deposits building up in the arteries around the heart, the Mirror reports. Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of your arteries, prevents blood from flowing through them.

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The likelihood of developing this condition increases with increased cholesterol and blood pressure, hence the emphasis on keeping blood pressure low. The Harvard School of Public Health suggests that diet plays a crucial role in managing blood pressure—enter our four fruit juices.

So how can fruit juices help? Consuming foods and drinks rich in potassium is recommended, as this mineral helps remove sodium from the body, a known factor in raising blood pressure.

The more potassium you consume, the more sodium your body can eliminate through urine. The essential mineral also helps relax blood vessel walls, further reducing blood pressure.

The health body explains: “Sodium and potassium are two interrelated minerals that play a major role in regulating blood pressure and a healthy heart. Eating less salty foods and more potassium-rich foods can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.”

“Potassium is found in many foods, especially fruits, vegetables, legumes and low-fat dairy. But eating lots of sodium-rich foods, especially processed breads, packaged snacks, canned goods, and fast-food meals, while skimping on potassium. may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Where can I get more potassium? Several foods are rich in potassium, but some contain more than others.

Medical News Today says there are four fruit drinks that possess high amounts of minerals; these are the fresh juice of passion fruits, pomegranates, oranges and tangerines.

A standard cup of each drink contains the following amounts: As a comparison, a banana – often touted as an excellent source of the mineral – has about 358 mg of the mineral.

Many of us have high blood pressure without knowing it. It is important to check your blood pressure regularly, even if you feel absolutely fine.

While the British Heart Foundation (BHF) says high blood pressure “rarely has visible symptoms”, the following can be a sign of the condition:

• Breathing difficulties.
• Headaches.
• Nosebleeds.
• Chest pains.
• Dizziness.

America’s leading medical research center, the Mayo Clinic, warned: “Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even when blood pressure levels reach dangerously high levels.”

In line with this, the UK’s National Health Service stresses that the only way to know your blood pressure level is through testing. Readers over the age of 40 are advised to make arrangements for a reading at least once every five years.

America’s Cleveland Clinic explains a blood pressure reading as being made up of two numbers known as ‘systolic’ and ‘diastolic’.

The clinic further states: “The top number is your systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure on the walls of your blood vessels when your heart beats or contracts. While the bottom number is diastolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure on your blood vessels between beats when your heart relaxes.”

A reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher (or 150/90 mmHg or higher for anyone over the age of 80) is considered high blood pressure. An ideal blood pressure reading ranges between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg.

National charity Blood Pressure UK recommends drinking alcohol only in sensible amounts, losing weight for those who need it, quitting smoking and limiting caffeine consumption. In addition, the institution believes that physical activity is an excellent strategy to reduce the risks associated with heart and circulatory diseases by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

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