Eating this household fruit could lower high blood pressure, say experts
Speaking on the findings, Dr Anita Layton from the University of Waterloo in Ontario said: "Usually, when we have high blood pressure, we are advised to eat less salt. Our research suggests that adding more potassium-rich foods to your diet, such as bananas or broccoli, might have a greater positive impact on your blood pressure than just cutting sodium."
Given our ancestral diets were rich in fruits and vegetables offering a high intake of potassium versus sodium, it's suggested by researchers that human regulatory systems could be optimized for such a nutritional balance. Lead author of the study, Melissa Stadt, said: "Today, western diets tend to be much higher in sodium and lower in potassium. That may explain why high blood pressure is found mainly in industrialized societies, not in isolated societies."
Building upon existing evidence that boosting potassium can aid blood pressure control, the team has developed a mathematical model pinpointing how potassium-to-sodium ratios affect the human body, reports Surrey Live.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health issues such as heart attacks or strokes. However, it can be managed through lifestyle modifications and medication. It's particularly prevalent among the elderly, with risk factors including age, poor diet, and obesity.
Other contributing factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, long-term stress, and ethnicity - with those of Black African, Black Caribbean, or South Asian descent being more susceptible, according to NHS guidelines.
If you suspect you may have hypertension, are at risk, or are over 40 and haven't had a check-up in over five years, it's recommended to get your blood pressure checked. While it typically doesn't present any symptoms, some people may experience headaches, chest pain, and blurred vision.
The study, published in the American Journal of Physiology, Renal Physiology, also examined the impact of gender on hypertension risk. The findings revealed that men across all races are more likely to develop high blood pressure than pre-menopausal women of the same age.
However, the research noted that post-menopause, the prevalence of hypertension in women begins to increase, eventually surpassing that of men.
To maintain a healthy blood pressure, the NHS recommends sticking to a balanced diet and getting in at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. If you're carrying extra weight, shedding some pounds could also be beneficial.
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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
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The clip, which at the time of publishing has been viewed by over 400,000 people, attracted hundreds of comments from social media users, some of whom also claim to have stopped losing weight on the drugs. Advertisement One commenter, who admitted to eating just one meal a day, wrote: "I've been on it for six weeks and I've lost no weight." It is prescribed mainly for people with Though Annabelle isn't a prescriber, her experience reflects what some experts are now warning about. They say that extreme calorie cutting while on weight loss injections can cause the body to go into 'emergency conservation' mode. Advertisement Dr David Huang, director of clinical innovation at weight loss service "It also makes the weight loss very unsustainable in the long term, and there can be a bounce-back effect when patients re-feed.' GP-approved tips to really lose weight safely - and keep it off This means if you eat too little for too long, your body will slow down the number of calories it burns, holding onto fat to conserve energy - which can stop weight loss. It means that when you start eating normally again, the weight can pile back on quickly. "The purpose of the jabs is to lose weight healthily and sustainably," Dr David says. Advertisement WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS? NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them. Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics. Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription. They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. 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RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
Parents call on HSE to make breakthrough peanut allergy treatment available
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Catherine Dolan, from Greystones in Co Wicklow, is among a group of parents who want the HSE to make Palforzia available here. Her six-year-old son has a severe peanut allergy that puts him at risk of anaphylaxis. Ms Dolan said it creates a great deal of anxiety as the family navigates daily interactions. She has considered accessing the treatment abroad but said the logistics are difficult. "We've always had healthcare in our own country, and it does pose a risk when you go outside of the Irish system. I would consider it, we are talking about it, but I'd be really, really cautious about it," she said. Ms Dolan said she feels it is unacceptable that the treatment is available under the NHS in the UK, and other European countries, but not here. "We need to know when, and why. It has to happen. I'm balanced in my view - I know the healthcare system is really stretched, but I know the consultants are there, the care is there, and the expertise is there. 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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
How many steps a day do you really need for improve your health? It's not 10,000
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