Is Cucumber Good For High Blood Pressure
Cucumber juice: Cucumber is a good source of potassium and is a diuretic. A diuretic is any substance that promotes increased production of urine. Diuretics help reduce sodium and also maintain fluid balance in the body, which is essential to maintain stable blood pressure levels. Peel the cucumbers.
The Effect Of Cinnamon Supplementation On Blood Pressure In Adults: A Systematic Review And Meta
- Department of Nutrition, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranDepartment of Health Safety and Environment , Razi Petrochemical Company, Mahshahr, Iran
- Makan PourmasoumiAffiliationsFood Security Research Center and Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranUniversal Scientific Education and Research Network , Tehran, Iran
- Ammar Salehi-sahlabadiAffiliationsStudent Research Committee, Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Does Using Cinnamon Bring About Side Effects
In human studies, participants used varying amounts of cinnamon, from a fraction of a teaspoon to two teaspoons each day. Side effects were rare when cinnamon is added to food in normal doses.
Cinnamon is also available as a dietary supplement, but it is important to be cautious, since dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. If you are taking other medications or herbal supplements, always consult with your healthcare providerinteractions may occur between supplements and medications, resulting in adverse outcomes.
Although cinnamon is generally considered safe for short-term use by most people, some may have an allergic reaction to the spice. Cinnamon also contains a chemical known as coumarin, which can be harmful to individuals with liver disease. Although coumarin is a precursor to the blood-thinner known as warfarin, the precursor found in plants does not affect the ability of blood to clot.
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When Is Cinnamon Spice Not So Nice The Great Danish Debate
Well, as we recently reported in The Salt, cassia cinnamon is the variety you are most likely to encounter in a grocery store. But cassia can contain high levels of coumarin, a naturally occurring ingredient that, when eaten in large enough amounts, can cause reversible liver toxicity in a small group of individuals sensitive to it.
“So the warning is, for cinnamon lovers, is to beware of excessive intake of cassia,” says diabetes educator Angela Ginn.
And Ikhlas Khan, a researcher at the University of Mississippi’s School of Pharmacy who recently looked at the amounts of coumarin in cinnamon-flavored foods in the U.S., recently told The Salt that people who do want to use cinnamon for medicinal purposes should consult their doctor before taking large amounts.
Some experts suggest investing instead in Ceylon cinnamon, a milder and pricier variety of the spice that comes from a tree distinct from but related to cassia.
How much cassia is too much? For an adult who is sensitive to coumarin, the limit is about a teaspoon a day, according to the daily tolerable intake set by the European Food Safety Authority.
So if you’re a cinnamon lover and your goal is to increase your daily intake, using Ceylon cinnamon can reduce the risk of consuming too much coumarin.
Helps Manage Blood Pressure
All varieties of cinnamon contain cinnamic acid. It has anti-inflammatory effects. The anti-inflammatory property helps blood flow through the body and puts less strain on the heart.
Research on Ceylon cinnamon dates . The research concluded Ceylon cinnamon could help blood pressure. Weakening of the heart due to problems in the cardiovascular system often causes heart disease. Ceylon cinnamon supports cardiovascular function and contributes to healthy heart function.
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Cinnamon Lowers Cholesterol And The Risk Of Heart Diseases
Aside from high blood pressures connection to diabetes, its also greatly linked to heart diseases. After all, your heart is responsible for pumping blood and distributes it all throughout our body.
To make things clear, Cinnamon cannot cure Heart Diseases. However, it can help prevent this condition. It reduces your triglyceride level as well as BadLow-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol levels. High Cholesterol levels can also contribute to increasing your high blood pressure.
So if youre watching out for your blood pressure, you should also keep an eye on your cholesterol level as one can affect the other.
Reduce Blood Pressure With Heart
As a way to manage your blood pressure, herbs and spices are a fantastic way to increase the medicinal value of your foods. Studies show that some common spices can help protect from heart disease and the deterioration brought about by aging. Researchers have discovered a connection between the phenol content of certain herbs and spices and their capacity to prevent glycation and formation of AGE compounds that are responsible for premature aging and heart disease. Below are some herbs and spices that can help lower your blood pressure, as well as suggestions on how to incorporate them into a healthy diet, including recipes. Enjoy your tasty herbal remedies!
- Garlic Garlic contains allicin, a substance which has antibacterial, antioxidant, lipid lowering and anti-hypertensive properties. Garlic has the ability to lower your blood pressure by helping your blood vessels to relax and dilate, which allows blood flow more freely in the body. Studies have proven that fresh garlic has more potent heart-protective properties than processed garlic. The recommended intake is four cloves of garlic a day to noticeably reduce blood pressure readings. You can add fresh garlic to a number of your favorite recipes. And if you simply cant eat it or dont like the taste of garlic, try supplement form of 500 mg daily.
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Unproven Claims About Honey And Cinnamon
The concept of combining two powerful ingredients to create an even more powerful remedy makes sense.
However, no studies have demonstrated that the combination of honey and cinnamon creates a miracle substance that cures multiple ailments.
Additionally, many of the proposed uses for honey and cinnamon are not backed by science.
Here are some of the popular but unproven claims about honey and cinnamon:
- Fights allergy symptoms. Some studies have been done on honeys ability to reduce allergy symptoms, but the evidence is weak (
- 45 ).
- Relieves arthritis pain. Honey and cinnamon reduce inflammation, but theres no proof that applying these foods to your skin can reduce inflammation in the joints.
- Calms digestive issues. There are claims that honey can coat your stomach, and that both ingredients will fight bacterial infections in the gut. However, these claims arent backed by research.
SUMMARY
Honey and cinnamon are both beneficial for your health, but theres no evidence that combining them will multiply their effects.
Eat More Foods High In Magnesium
A small study in the International Journal of Hypertension found magnesium supplementation can reduce blood pressure in small amountsNguyen H, Odelola OA, Rangaswami J, Amanullah A. A Review of Nutritional Factors in Hypertension Management. International Journal of Hypertension. 2013 698940. . Talk to your doctor before taking magnesium supplements, especially if you have kidney disease. You can also safely incorporate high-magnesium foods into your diet. Dr. Desai recommends foods like leafy green vegetables and unsalted almonds.
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Cinnamon And Magnesium For High Blood Pressure
As mentioned earlier, Cinnamon dilates your blood vessels to allow your blood to flow better. Magnesium, on the other hand, is the mineral that your heart greatly relies on to keep it regularly beating. To add with that, it also relaxes your arteries, which allows your blood to flow easily.
Because Magnesium has the same effect as Cinnamon, when these two are combined, it can greatly help you relax your blood vesselsallowing your blood to flow easily.
/6chewing On Coriander Leaves
Packed with heart-friendly fibres, coriander is an amazing herb for lowering hypertension. Just take some coriander leaves and chew them on an empty stomach. Studies have claimed that constituents from coriander interact with calcium ions and acetylcholine, which helps relax tension in the blood vessels. Coriander also flushes out excess sodium from the body which lowers BP.
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What Does The Research Say
Most recent efforts to examine medicinal properties of cinnamon have focused on its effect on blood sugar. Although the mechanism is unknown, some studies report cinnamon may have a beneficial effect on blood sugar control in those with diabetes. The evidence has been mixed, but one recent systemic review of ten different studies suggest that cinnamon lowers both fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol.
There is less available evidence to support claims for using cinnamon to control blood pressure. A 2012 review of three studies on the effect of cinnamon on blood pressure in patients with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes found a short-term reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but these studies were small and more research is necessary before cinnamon can be widely recommended for blood pressure control.
A separate study, performed to examine the effect of a product containing cinnamon, calcium, and zinc, showed no reduction in blood pressure in people with hypertension and type II diabetes. Overall, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health currently advises that human studies do not support use of cinnamon for any health condition.
Types Of Cinnamon That’s Good For High Blood Pressure
Cinnamon Sticks for Blood Pressure
If you want to use Cinnamon Sticks for your blood pressure, you can add them to your baked and cooked dishes. Not only will you be reducing your blood pressure, but youll also be adding more spice and aroma to your dishes.
Cinnamon Powder for Blood Pressure
Cinnamon Powder is much easier to incorporate into your baked and cooked dishes. You can even sprinkle Cinnamon Powder on your drinks, and it will still have the same effect on your blood pressure.
Cinnamon Tea for Blood Pressure
You can also drink Cinnamon Tea daily to help you reduce your blood pressure.
Creating a Cinnamon Tea out of a Cinnamon Stick is fairly easy.
For this, you need the following.
1 Ceylon Cinnamon Stick
1 Cup of water
Step 1: Add your cinnamon stick in a mug
Step 2: Pour boiling water on the mug and let the cinnamon stick steep for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Add your tea bag and let it steep for 2 more minutes
Step 4: Remove the cinnamon stick and teabag
Step 5: Add your preferred sweetener and serve!
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How Much Cinnamon To Take To Lower Blood Pressure: Dosage And Usage
A little bit goes a long way when it comes to cinnamon for high blood pressure. For instance, a half-teaspoon of cinnamon daily can positively improve blood pressure however, often times, the stronger dose is better for improving heart disease risk.
Some studies have used one to six grams of cinnamon, although very high doses may have toxic effects. That is why it is a good idea to start small then gradually increase the amount of cinnamon in your diet.
There are about 250 cinnamon species grown throughout the world, but the ones you will likely come across include Chinese or Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon, which is sometimes called true cinnamon.
Both have a noticeable fragrance and spicy taste, though Ceylon cinnamon is thought to have more health benefits associated with it.Cinnamon is also available in a variety of forms and products, including cinnamon capsules, powdered cinnamon, and cinnamon sticks.
Some people will boil cinnamon sticks in water, and drink it as a tea while also adding some lemon juice or honey to the mix.
A Quick Overview Of Cinnamon
Cinnamon, as we know it, is the household spice that we commonly have at home. This spice originated from Asia, specifically China and Sri Lanka. Its a very aromatic spice with a pretty delicate flavor.
It adds flavor to the dishes and baked goodies when it is added.
It produces a relaxing aroma that puts your mind at peace when you inhale it. This is why other people use Cinnamon for Tea.
This spice is known for its health benefits. In fact, cinnamon is good for blood pressure, blood sugar regulation,
There are currently two major types of Cinnamon. These are the Cassia Cinnamon and Ceylon Cinnamon.
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Reduce Stress Through Meditation And Rest
Chronic stress can lead to chronic elevations in the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, says Dr. Desai. These hormones constrict the arteries and cause weight gain, which further increases blood pressure.
He recommends reducing stress by using breathing exercises, practicing meditation, completing physical exercise, practicing yoga, logging quality sleep, taking breaks throughout the day, spending time in nature, listening to music and eating a balanced diet.
Say Hello To Good Health With These Simple Tips
The normal blood pressure of a healthy adult individual is 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic. But when the pressure of the blood in the arteries is elevated, it is known as hypertension. If the condition is not addressed at the right time, it can lead to serious health conditions such as stroke, impaired vision, kidney damage, heart attack, congestive heart failure, vascular dementia, peripheral blood vessel disease and aortic aneurysm among others.
Similarly, diabetes, which leads to uncontrolled level of blood sugar in the body too can lead to various conditions if not kept under control. Which is why it becomes extremely important to keep a tab on ones diet.
To help keep you fit and healthy, Avni Kaul, nutritionist, wellness coach and certified diabetic educator, shares a few herbs that will help keep the conditions in check.
Holy basil
Basil or tulsi is a wonderful herb which can help lower your blood pressure. The chemical eugenol which is present in tulsi is known to fight certain substances that tighten blood vessels, which can lead to a decrease in blood pressure. Adding fresh basil to your diet is simple and certainly wont hurt.
Cinnamon
Garlic
Curcumin
Fenugreek
Ginger
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What Is High Blood Pressure
This is the condition where ones blood pressure becomes too high. The blood pressure is written as 2 numbers. The first number is the systolic number. It represents the pressure within your blood vessels whenever your heart beats or contracts. The second number that you get represents the pressure inside the vessels whenever your heart rests in between beats.
It often occurs whenever specific changes happen in your body. It can also be caused by specific health conditions.
People with the following condition can be affected by Hypertension:
- underactive or overactive thyroid
- gestational diabetes
- scleroderma
Aside from that, hypertension can also be caused by the food that you eat and your lifestyle. People who excessively drink alcohol and smoke are at high risk of Hypertension. Additionally, people who have a high-fat diet are also at high risk for this condition.
Can Cinnamon Decrease High Blood Pressure
The ground-uptruth about cinnamons effect on decreasing high blood pressure.
Guest Post By: Shannon Stewart, Nutrition & Dietetics Student, Dominican University
Cinnamon is the spice with everything nice. It tastes good, smells good, and may help lower your blood pressure, especially if you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 75 million adults in America have high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and more. In this day and age, countless pharmaceuticals are available to lower blood pressure. But what if youre not interested in popping a pill? Fear no more. By incorporating cinnamon into snacks and meals, you will not only benefit from this heart-healthy spice, but your entire family will enjoy it as well.
Whats the Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Cinnamon?
You know the drill. Its standard to have your blood pressure taken at every doctors visit. But do you understand what those two numbers mean? According to the American Heart Association, a healthy blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. Consistent blood pressure readings greater than this indicate elevated or high blood pressure , which increases your risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
Tips to Include Cinnamon All Day Long
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Ideal Type Of Cinnamon For The Treatment
If youre planning on using Cinnamon and Honey to help you regulate cholesterol and blood pressure in your body, its highly recommended that you dont take more than a teaspoonful of Cinnamon Daily. In addition to that, you should also be wary of the type of Cinnamon to use in your treatment. Make sure that you use Ceylon Cinnamon and not Cassia as this Cinnamon contains Coumarin, a compound that can be toxic to your body if taken in high amount and dosage.
Another important thing is that, if youre currently taking a blood-thinning pill or treatment, you should first consult your doctor as Cinnamon also has a blood-thinning agent.
Takeaways
Cinnamon is not your ordinary kitchen spice which sole purpose is to add flavor to your meals. It can do so much more than just that. It can lower down the Cholesterol in your body, regulate your blood pressure, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease. However, you should make sure that youre using the True Cinnamon which Ceylon as this particular Cinnamon will not be able to harm our body, unlike Cassia.
The Link Between Diabetes And Hypertension
As mentioned earlier, High Blood Pressure, also known as Hypertension, can be caused by certain conditions. One of these conditions is diabetes specifically gestational diabetes, type 1, type 1, and 2 diabetes.
Another thing that connects High Blood Pressure and Diabetes is it being a part of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. To add to that, both of these conditions can make the symptoms of the other condition worse.
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