Ireland: We all know the health effects of fruits and vegetables, but certain types of fruits, including apples, berries, pears and other fruits, can be very helpful in controlling blood pressure. These fruits are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which help prevent pre-existing diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
Although the benefits of these fruits are also being revealed, a new study has further strengthened this fact. Now this research shows that the microbes and various types of bacteria living in our stomach and intestines control blood pressure by acting on flavonoids. This research will also find out why some flavonoids are good for the heart.
Research by scientists at the University of Queensland in Northern Ireland has shown that gastrointestinal disorders play an important role in the absorption of flavonoids and in controlling blood pressure. Thus, regular use of flavonoids can be very helpful in lowering blood pressure.
Eating 80 grams of blueberries, strawberries and other types of berries a day lowers blood pressure by four degrees. It should be noted that normal blood pressure measures 120 and 80 and 140 to 90 mm can be considered as high blood pressure.
“Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoids that keep blood pressure normal,” says Eden Cassidy, a nutritionist at Queen’s University. These special flavonoids are found in the blue and red colors of many fruits, including blackberries, blueberries, red grapes and other fruits.
Gastrointestinal bacteria divide them into simple ingredients and they are very useful for the heart. Interestingly, on the one hand, they have a positive effect on the intestinal bacteria, on the other hand, thanks to these bacteria, blood pressure is under control.
The study included 904 people aged 25 to 82 who had a medical database in Germany’s Biobank. All of them were also asked about 112 types of food.
Participants were asked about their diet, sleep and other information, and their blood pressure was tested several times a day. Those who ate apples, pears and berries had normal blood pressure levels.