Helios-Medica

· 17 Jan 2021

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Cranberry juice helps lower blood pressure

If your blood pressure exceeds 120/80, you may be at risk of hypertension and other heart related problems. And that's a big concern if you have kidney disease. If you have high blood pressure, what can you do about it? Your doctor may recommend medication. Changes in your diet and lifestyle can also help, such as:

Lose Weight
Train at least 30 minutes a day
Eat healthy: low sodium, potassium, phosphorus and protein
Avoid alcohol
No smoking
Avoid caffeine
Reduce stress
Applying these lifestyle changes can have a positive effect on your blood pressure and help you control kidney disease. But there is at least one more change in your diet that you can make to lower or control your blood pressure. Drink cranberry juice.

In a 2012 study, researchers found that regular drinking of cranberry juice can reduce blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) by three points. It may not sound much, but it is enough, for example, to get a person from pre-hypertension back into the normal range. For more information, read the comprehensive and interesting article Do cranberries (or their supplements) have health benefits? We assess the research.

If you are going to drink cranberry juice to control your blood pressure, strive for 2 to 3 cups a day. But choose a low-sugar or sugar-free option to avoid excess calories. If you are not a fan of cranberry juice, you can still take advantage of the benefits of this berry by eating fresh or dried cranberries, or taking a cranberry supplement. If you have kidney disease, consult with your doctor about adding cranberries to your diet. It is possible that too much cranberry in your diet can disturb the fluid balance. The properties of cranberries can also act as a blood thinner, so pay attention if you take aspirin or a blood thinner drug. If you're allowed to enjoy cranberry juice, what are you gonna eat with it? Kidney friendly meals, right? You will find many options to choose from on a meal menu, such as the Denver Frittata, mashed potatoes and cinnamon apples, Linguini with salmon and vegetables, regular omelette, sweet potatoes and broccoli and many others.