Research: Kiwi helps lower blood pressure
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Eat three kiwis a day and you will forget about the doctors. People from southern China again can be proud of their own fruit, as a new study of scientists shows that these fluffy fruits reduce blood pressure.
In the green juicy pulp of this fruit are many valuable nutrients, including lutein - a powerful antioxidant, which lowers blood pressure.
Swedish scientists led by Mett Svendsen of the University of Oslo argue that lutein has a beneficial effect on the heart. However, cardiologists are being reassured that to date there is no such miraculous substance that could completely take care of the health of the human heart. Most likely, this is a question in a healthy lifestyle with a rational diet and exercise.
Scientists have decided to refute the statements of cardiologists. Their research has shown that eating kiwi can improve a person's health in the long run.
The study involved 50 men and 68 women aged 55 years. Volunteers had to eat three kiwis or one apple a day for eight weeks. At the beginning of the study, participants had blood pressure levels in the mildly elevated range - 128/85. The ideal blood pressure is considered to be less than 120/80 pressure. Participants did not change anything in their diet except for the addition of fruit. At the end of the study, scientists measured blood pressure using 24-hour monitoring, which is considered to be more accurate than measurements at one time point.
The results of the study showed that three kiwifruit per day, improves 24-hour blood pressure better than an apple a day.
This study showed the usefulness of kiwi for the heart, similar to the previous study, which proved that taking red wine positively affects the heart. "Of course, this information should not be taken literally. You always need to know the extent, says Dr. M. Elliott Antman, professor of medicine at the Harvard Medical School in Boston. - Do not expect kiwi to help you cope with hypertension ... Do not stop taking medication to lower blood pressure without consulting the doctor. "