A high blood pressure is not something you should take lightly. After all, it’s one of the risk factors in heart disease and stroke. Thankfully, it’s not completely impossible to control the situation. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, upping your intake of vitamin C may help lower your blood pressure.
Analyzing data from 29 previously published clinical trials, researchers found out that participants who took 500 milligrams of vitamin C every day were able to lower their blood pressure by 3.84 millimeters of mercury in the short term. Meanwhile, those with hypertension lost almost 5 millimeters of mercury. Apparently, vitamin C may make kidneys release more sodium and water in the body, which helps relax blood vessel walls and, in turn, lower blood pressure. In comparison, those who choose to take blood pressure medication should expect to lose 10 millimeters of mercury.
While it may seem that vitamin C’s effect on blood pressure is not as significant as that of the medication, it's still a good idea to work it into your diet and nutrition plan. Edgar "Pete" R. Miller III, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the division of general internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and leader of the study believes that "if the entire US population lowered blood pressure by 3 milliliters of mercury, there would be a lot fewer strokes."
(Photo by Keith Williamson via Flickr Creative Commons)
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