Do ordinary raspberries increase or decrease blood pressure?

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Raspberry is a wild biennial shrub. It can often be found in forest clearings and clearings. Thanks to its sweet berries, the plant has gained great popularity and is widely grown in home gardens and on farms on an industrial scale.

Cultivated forms bear more fruit, are less thorny, and the berries contain more sweet carbohydrates. Raspberries are widely used in folk medicine, primarily as an anti-cold, vitamin and antipyretic agent.

People often eat berries in various forms, but rarely does anyone think about whether raspberries increase or decrease blood pressure. The article will discuss the positive effect of the plant on the cardiovascular system.

Early variety of common raspberry

Chemical composition and beneficial properties

The benefits of raspberries

Raspberries are very tasty and healthy. Wild and cultivated species, of which there are more than a hundred, have no significant differences either in taste parameters or in chemical composition. The differences relate more to the size of the berries, cultivation conditions, disease resistance, number of fruitings, and so on.

However, it is hardly possible to find a similar plant that could compete with raspberries in terms of health and taste. Thanks to the unique combination of carbohydrates, organic acids, essential oils and sugars in berries, it has a unique aroma.

Usefulness is determined by the content of chemical components:

1. Salicylic acid , which is better known to the general public as aspirin. But in berries this substance is exclusively of plant origin, and not synthesized in the laboratory. Therefore, natural aspirin is safer, faster and easier to digest. That is why raspberry tea and jam have an antipyretic effect and are recommended for the treatment of colds;
2. Improved functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is achieved due to the presence of organic acids and fiber . They also contribute to the normalization of metabolic processes in the body, improve the condition of the intestinal microflora by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria;
3. Beta-sitosterol is a useful substance that stimulates the elimination of bad cholesterol and has a preventive effect, preventing the development of sclerosis;
4. Pectins have a cleansing effect. They help the body get rid of low-density lipoproteins, which cause the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, and remove toxic substances (radionuclides and heavy metal salts);
5. Folic acid is important for hematopoiesis and immunity;
6. Copper is an important element. Without it, iron necessary for the formation of hemoglobin will not be normally absorbed; copper molecules take part in collagen synthesis and energy production;
7. Iron - necessary for red blood cells, plays an irreplaceable role in the transfer of oxygen to the cells of the body, therefore raspberries are very useful for anemia;
8. Potassium and magnesium are important microelements for heart function and normalization of blood pressure. Magnesium is needed for significant emotional overload and helps with insomnia;
9. Phytosteins take part in the reduction of bad cholesterol and have a preventive effect against atherosclerosis;
10. Vitamins A, B, C, PP are extremely important for the normal functioning of the immune system, hormone synthesis and cell renewal. The content of ascorbic acid, which plays a decisive role in the fight against various infectious diseases, is especially high in raspberry berries. B vitamins are essential for ensuring the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Raspberries and pressure

Raspberries lower blood pressure

Now let’s take a closer look at the question of whether raspberries lower blood pressure or increase it, and what berries have an effect on the cardiovascular system. If you often eat or drink raspberry tea, it has a strengthening and tonic effect on the endothelium of the veins and arteries, they become resistant to thinning. Thanks to the presence of potassium and magnesium, the heart muscle is strengthened, the pulse becomes more stable, and the tone of the coronary arteries is maintained.

Note. All parts of the common raspberry are beneficial. In folk medicine, not only berries are used, but also the vegetative organs of the plant (root and shoot with leaves). However, it is most useful to consume berries that are not subject to ash processing, since in this case they retain all substances valuable to the body.

It is important to understand how raspberries affect blood pressure. Berries, mainly due to the presence of salicylic acid, exhibit a powerful diaphoretic effect.

Hot tea dilates the blood vessels, they begin to intensively give off heat and moisture, so the pressure decreases. Fresh berries do not have such a strong effect on blood pressure levels, however, they are recommended for use by hypertensive patients.

For people with hypotension, eating raspberries does not lead to a decrease in blood pressure and associated complications. It is also useful for such people to eat raspberries due to the high content of vitamins and microelements that have a strengthening effect on blood vessels, but it is better to avoid very hot tea with berries and let the drink cool.

Recipes from the plant for hypotension

Lovers of sweet berries suffering from hypotension are interested in which recipes contain raspberries that increase blood pressure. For these purposes, use fresh or dry stems of the bush. 1 tbsp. l. the raw materials should be crushed, then pour 200 ml of boiling water. Infuse the drink for 15 minutes. The remedy is taken in the form of tea, which is taken 2 times a day. After a course of treatment, blood pressure rises by several levels.

Due to the chemical composition of raspberries, it can be used as an antihypertensive agent for hypertension, but only at the early stage of the disease. Systematic consumption of the fruits of the plant lowers blood pressure, so people suffering from hypotension should eat them with caution.

Raspberry in folk medicine

Raspberry tea

Berries can be consumed fresh, ground with sugar, dried or canned, and in the first two cases the health benefits will be maximum.

Raspberries are most often used in the following cases:

• as an additional source of vitamins and microelements at any time of the year;
• for colds and ARVI;
• as a mild sedative;
• for some diseases of the digestive system;
• for anemia and vascular diseases.

In addition to their pleasant taste, berries are distinguished not only by their medicinal qualities in treatment and prevention. Please note that the price of raspberries is not high, unless there are contraindications, the berries are absolutely safe in any quantity and for any age; if prepared correctly, the product can be used all year round and receive all the beneficial substances, as when eating fresh fruits.

The note. In order for raspberries to be beneficial, they must be prepared correctly. The best way is to grind it with sugar and store it in the refrigerator or cellar. Sugar concentration will depend on storage conditions. If the temperature is from 0 to 5 degrees, then 1.2 kg of sugar per 1 kg of raspberries is enough; at a warmer sugar temperature, the proportion will be 1/1.5. Deep freezing will also preserve all the beneficial properties of the berries.

Raspberry tea

Not only the berries, but also the leaves have beneficial properties. To prepare this recipe, you need to prepare fresh stems with leaves during flowering in the summer and dry them by shading them from direct sunlight.

Preparing fortified tea is simple - pour boiling water (0.5 liters) over three tablespoons of crushed dry raw materials and let stand for 15 minutes, then drink with raspberry jam or honey. If you use fresh leaves, you need to take more of them.

The drink will be an excellent alternative to the usual tea with caffeine (green or black), which is undoubtedly useful for hypertension. Pregnant women can and should drink it.

Raspberries with linden flowers

Linden flowers together with berries help with high blood pressure and reduce shortness of breath in hypertension. Since the therapeutic effect can only appear after long-term use, it is important to drink this drink for more than one month.

As a rule, after 60 days the pressure in hypertension decreases slightly. Raspberry-linden decoction has a diuretic effect. The dried ingredients are taken in equal quantities and brewed with boiling water in a thermos for half an hour or more.

Drink like regular tea. If you do not brew it in a thermos, then add hot water to the tea, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 3-4 minutes, then let stand for 15 minutes.

Raspberry with honey

Raspberry with honey

• Recipe 1. Mix raspberries with honey for 800 grams of berries you will need a kilogram of natural bee honey. Dark varieties (buckwheat and polyfloral honeys: meadow and forest) are more beneficial for the cardiovascular system because they contain more microelements and vitamins, but in terms of taste (specifically with raspberries), light varieties that do not crystallize for a long time (acacia, fireweed, raspberry, melilot, sow thistle and honey collected from bruise flowers). Keep refrigerated. There is at will all year round, but only constantly and daily.
• Recipe 2. Raspberry tea from dry berries and leaves, brewed in any way, cool to a temperature of 40 degrees or below and add honey. Drink starting in the afternoon instead of tea. If possible, it is better not to stir honey, but eat it as a bite, this way all its healing properties will be preserved. The course has no restrictions on either time or amount of drink. Raspberries with honey normalize blood pressure, improve emotional state and improve sleep.

Raspberry jam

Raspberry jam

Wash the berries and grind with sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Leave for several hours so that the juice stands out and the sugar dissolves. Then put on low heat and bring to a boil.

Pour into sterilized liter or half liter jars and seal with an iron lid. Store this jam at room temperature or lower. You can eat it in its natural form or add it to other dishes at your discretion.

Raspberries with other berries

The single consumption of fresh berries collected from different plants is incredibly useful. You can also freeze fresh berries or grind them with sugar and store them in the refrigerator until consumed. To cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol, it is recommended to simultaneously eat raspberries and strawberries (Vit C, potassium and magnesium) with blueberries or blueberries (a source of pterostilbene).

This berry mixture not only has a preventive effect against atherosclerosis, but is also a powerful immunostimulating agent due to its high content of vitamins, microelements and organic acids.

Raspberry cocktail with apples and milk

Raspberry milkshake with mint syrup

This milkshake is incredibly loved by children, and, to be honest, adults too. You should prepare for one serving: a glass of raspberries, a glass of low-fat milk, one apple (instead of an apple you can use a pear, melon, banana, kiwi, apricot, plum, etc.), who loves sweets, a spoonful of honey will not be amiss, for For adults, you can add a pinch of cinnamon.

It is important to remove seeds and peel from apples first.

Beat everything in a blender.

This smoothie is a good remedy for those who are on a diet, which will not only help you lose weight, but also cleanse your blood vessels of cholesterol plaques.

The note. If there is no tendency to atherosclerosis or excess weight gain, use ice cream instead of milk.

Reception features

The plant is effective against high blood pressure in any form. The most accessible and convenient form of administration is eating fresh berries. However, excessive consumption of fruits can provoke an allergic reaction, so patients should limit the dosage. To achieve a therapeutic effect, 150 grams of berries are enough. It is recommended to include berries in the daily diet for patients after a stroke or heart attack; this will help lower high blood pressure levels and prevent a relapse.

Since the raspberry season is limited, its components can be used to treat hypertension:

• Dried leaves (used to prepare decoctions and infusions).
• Root (has pronounced healing properties).

Important! A positive therapeutic effect is observed at the initial stage of the pathology; at a later stage, it is necessary to consult a specialist about the possibility of using raspberries in the complex treatment of the disease.

Contraindications

In the vast majority of cases, everyone can eat raspberries without any restrictions. Even pregnant women and small children can eat berries.

Use is absolutely safe for people with cardiovascular diseases. However, there are certain contraindications listed in the table, which doctors advise you to pay attention to.

Table. Contraindications to consuming raspberries:

If you are not sure about the benefits of eating berries, it is recommended to consult your doctor.

For what diseases is it appropriate to use berries?

As practicing doctors assure, in modern medicine it is extremely difficult to find a disease in which healthy raspberry recipes would be inappropriate. The fact is that certain options for using fruits are very useful for the following pathological conditions:

• all types of respiratory tract diseases - acute respiratory infections, flu, sore throat, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.;

• 
  numerous diseases of the digestive system – gastritis, pancreatitis;

• toxic damage to the body, including symptoms of intoxication;
• anemia;
• VSD, other neurological problems;
• arrhythmias, pressure surges, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hypotension, ischemic heart disease;
• even diabetes.

However, despite such a wide range of diseases for which the use of raspberries is more than appropriate, it is categorically unacceptable to include such fruits in your diet in case of serious pathology without consulting a doctor.