Elevated blood pressure is associated with excessive sodium intake in the diet.
Many do not realize that high blood pressure, or hypertension, is often a result of an unhealthy lifestyle.
Dr. Nishit Chandra, the chief physician of the interventional cardiology department at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, claims that for patients with hypertension, he primarily recommends not medications, but an intensive two- or three-week diet and physical activity. About 30% of his patients normalize their blood pressure through lifestyle and dietary changes, reports Indianexpress.
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology showed that people who consumed the highest amounts of tomatoes or tomato products daily reduced their risk of developing high blood pressure by more than a third. Those who did not suffer from hypertension and also consumed a lot of tomatoes had a 36% lower risk of the disease.
High blood pressure is caused by excessive sodium intake from food. Therefore, doctors often advise their patients to limit salt consumption. The daily sodium intake should not exceed 1500–2000 mg. The influence of sodium on blood pressure can be controlled with potassium and foods rich in it. Tomatoes are an accessible source of potassium.
Additionally, tomatoes contain lycopene, which helps stabilize the endothelium and arterial walls, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
It is important to consume tomatoes correctly. Sprinkling them with salt or cooking them over high heat diminishes their nutritional and cardioprotective properties. Even adding salt to tomato salad or juice reduces their nutritional value. In the Mediterranean diet, recognized as the most beneficial for cardiovascular health, tomatoes are consumed raw, often drizzled with olive oil. Thus, the proper inclusion of tomatoes in the diet, along with physical activity and adequate sleep, will help maintain normal blood pressure.
What is the Mediterranean diet
Doctors and nutritionists have long claimed that the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest and most beneficial. It helps maintain normal weight and health. The basis of this diet consists of a large amount of fruits and vegetables, among which tomatoes play a key role. It also includes olive oil and fish.
Source: 1001sovet
