Does cranberry lower blood pressure, contraindications, how to use it for hypertension

To maintain normal blood pressure and reduce the dosage of medications, hypertensive patients try to include more plant foods that have a hypotensive effect in their diet. As you know, most fruits and berries, due to their composition, have healing properties. They are simply a storehouse of vitamins and useful minerals. One of the favorite berries in Russia is cranberry, so its qualities are of interest to many who prefer to be treated with folk remedies. In particular, hypertensive patients are interested in the question of whether it lowers or increases blood pressure.

Useful features of cranberries

Natural herbs and plants have a lot of beneficial properties; as for cranberries, this berry is a real storehouse of vitamins and minerals necessary for the human body. Cranberries contain:

• Flavonoids (in very high proportions) – they help strengthen blood capillaries and vessel walls;
• Ursolic and oleanoic acids – have wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effects;
• Vitamin C – strengthens the immune system, promotes rapid recovery from colds;
• Vitamin B – supports and restores the nervous system, has a beneficial effect on nail plates, the condition of teeth and hair;
• Proanthocyanidins – slow down the development of malignant tumors in the body;
• Potassium - tones blood vessels, promotes the rapid elimination of waste and toxins.

In modern treatment methods, cranberry for hypertension is used in conjunction with standard medications; the combination of medications and natural ingredients gives positive results without harm to health. In addition, by including cranberries in your diet, you will receive significant benefits for the entire body as a whole:

• Digestion is normalized;
• Varicose veins are eliminated;
• Relieves inflammation of the genitourinary system;
• Hormonal levels are restored;
• Attention is concentrated;
• General performance improves;
• Your mood improves.

Properties

The main property is diuretic (diuretic). It must be said that this action is quite mild, in addition, when removing fluid from the body, potassium, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels, is not washed away.

Flavonoids contained in fresh berries help strengthen vascular walls and make them elastic, and also help in the absorption of ascorbic acid.

Cranberries help produce healthy cholesterol and increase antioxidant levels.

How cranberries affect blood pressure

The influence of natural compounds on the body is constantly being studied in order to identify the maximum beneficial properties and learn how to use them correctly in the treatment of diseases. In 2012, the American Heart Association conducted an experiment on the effect of cranberries on blood pressure.

For 8 weeks, participants in the experimental group took fresh cranberry juice in addition to their standard diet. During this time, laboratory specialists monitored the changes in the pressure of each volunteer.

The result of the research was the conclusion that after 8 weeks, 85% of people had a significant decrease in blood pressure. This allows us to conclude that cranberries help normalize blood pressure in hypertension.

The effect of cranberries on blood pressure

We discussed above that this healing berry has a healing effect on the entire body. Now let’s answer the main question: does cranberry increase blood pressure or lower it? Can it be used by people suffering from high or low blood pressure?

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases in adults today, and is also one of the leading causes of death from strokes and heart attacks.

Therefore, it is so important to separately note the beneficial properties of cranberries for hypertension. As is known, with this disease there is a persistent increase in blood pressure above normal. How does cranberry affect blood pressure?

The fact is that the beneficial substances that make up cranberries have a pronounced diuretic effect. Thanks to this, excess fluid is removed from the body, including from the bloodstream, which ultimately leads to a decrease in blood pressure. Therefore, this berry is so recommended for people suffering from hypertension.

It is also worth noting that cranberries can enhance the effect of medications. Therefore, when used in combination with antihypertensive drugs, an even greater effect on blood pressure can be achieved.

We should not forget that the result can only be achieved with regular use of this product.

Therefore, to permanently lower blood pressure with the help of this berry, you should include it in your daily diet.

In case of hypotension, characterized by low blood pressure, cranberries should be consumed with caution, since an even greater decrease in pressure can cause a deterioration in general well-being and dizziness.

Contraindications for including cranberries in the diet

Despite the fact that cranberry produces good results for hypertension, there is a category of patients for whom such an addition to treatment is simply contraindicated. The risk group includes:

1. People with individual intolerance to these berries - often the result is visible after the first dose. Redness of the skin, itching and scratching, watery eyes and difficulty breathing are considered unacceptable - at the first signs you should immediately stop taking cranberries.
2. Children under 3 years of age and nursing mothers are at high risk of allergic reactions, which manifest themselves in the form of sneezing, coughing and rashes all over the body.
3. Ulcers - berries increase the acidity of the body, which is contraindicated for gout, urolithiasis, ulcers, gastritis and other stomach problems.
4. People with hypersensitive teeth - cranberry quickly destroys tooth enamel, so when using it as a constant addition to food after meals, be sure to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with herbal solutions.

Contraindications for use

When including berries in your diet, it should be borne in mind that its uncontrolled consumption leads to a long-term overdose of ascorbic acid, which negatively affects health.

There are no restrictions on drinking store-bought juice. Its quantitative composition indicated on the packages is important. The dosage of freshly squeezed juice must be observed.

Who should avoid cranberry recipes?

In rare cases, cranberry causes an allergy, accompanied by one or more symptoms:

• hyperemia of the skin, limited or widespread rashes, peeling, itching;
• swelling of the face
• allergic rhinitis, runny nose, sneezing;
• diarrhea, colic, vomiting.

In such cases, the berry is excluded from the diet completely. Cranberry treatment should be avoided if a person is susceptible to:

• severe hypotension (sustained decrease in blood pressure);
• ulcers, gastritis, high acidity;
• kidney stones;
• gout;
• hypersensitivity of tooth enamel;
• individual intolerance;
• pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);
• decreased blood clotting, tendency to bleeding.

Liver diseases, various metabolic disorders, and the period of breastfeeding also require restrictions on the consumption of berries and drinks made from them.

Simple recipes for lowering blood pressure with cranberries

At home, it will not be difficult to prepare tasty and healthy, and most importantly, medicinal mixtures with fresh or steamed cranberries. Everyone will choose the best recipe for themselves, taking into account personal preferences and tastes.

Delicious mixtures with cranberries

• 2 large ripe oranges + 1 lemon with thin peel, mince, add ½ kg of fresh (can be frozen) cranberries and honey to taste (no more than 2 tablespoons). Take the composition 1 tbsp. spoon 2 times a day at the same time.
• 200 gr. beat the cranberries in a blender, add 200 gr. melted honey and mix thoroughly. You can store it in the refrigerator for 1 week; it is advisable to keep the mixture in a tightly screwed glass jar. Eat 1 spoon ¼ hour before meals.

Healthy cranberry drinks

• 300 gr. Cranberries should be mashed into a puree, diluted with ½ cup of hot water (not boiling water) and left to infuse. After 15-20 minutes, squeeze out the berries, strain the juice, and to improve the taste, you can add a spoonful of natural honey. The infusion is drunk throughout the day in small portions - preferably half an hour before meals.
• Squeeze fresh cranberries (250-300 g) in a juicer, discard the pulp, and dilute the resulting juice with clean water in a 1:1 ratio. Take 3-4 tbsp before meals. spoons.

Contraindications

Cranberry juice

Despite all the benefits of cranberries, not everyone can eat the berries.

Please note the following points:

• the sour juice of the berries can damage tooth enamel, especially when chewing the fruit for a long time;
• Hypotensive patients are contraindicated from consuming berries in significant quantities as this can reduce blood pressure to critical levels;
• people with chronically unstable blood pressure should consume berries with great caution;
• if you are allergic to the components of berries or honey used in recipes, you should avoid using them;
• consumption of cranberries is contraindicated in the presence of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract caused by high acidity: gastritis, erosion or ulcers;
• if you have liver disease, you can eat berries only with the permission of your doctor; if you have hepatitis, you should not eat cranberries;
• It is not recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers since the substances of the berries, normally tolerated by the mother, can be allergens for the fetus or newborn.

Reviews about taking cranberries to lower blood pressure

Alevtina Vasilievna, 48 years old: I have been struggling with high blood pressure for 20 years, and during this time I have tried a lot of drugs. Tired of useless spending, I decided to try traditional recipes - I drink cranberry juice, and for 2 months now I have felt much better, my blood pressure has not increased, I have more energy, and I look several years younger.

Karina, 40 years old: My teenage son has high blood pressure after a sports injury, so as not to accustom the young body to medications, the attending physician advised him to regularly drink juice and eat cranberry puree. Of course, recovery is still a long way off, but the result is already noticeable - he takes pills much less often.

Beneficial features

It's no secret that proper nutrition is the key to health and longevity. Lately, there are fewer environmentally friendly products available. In the diet of a modern person, there is more and more food containing saturated fats, genetically modified foods, as well as fried, salted, smoked and other similar foods, due to which cholesterol levels increase, fatty plaques appear in the vessels and atherosclerosis progresses.

If no measures are taken, developing ischemic processes can cause much more serious complications such as myocardial infarction or cerebral stroke.

Sour cranberries have a very beneficial effect on the body. They help get rid of harmful and toxic substances, exhibit antioxidant properties, increase appetite and digestion by stimulating the secretion of gastric juice.

That is why it is recommended to use it for gastrointestinal diseases associated with low acidity. Vitamins have an important effect on the functioning of the immune system, strengthen cellular immunity, and exhibit oncoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

Pay attention to the scientifically proven beneficial properties of regular consumption of berries:

• enhances the antibacterial properties of the body, reduces inflammatory processes;
• has a preventive effect reducing the risk of breast and intestinal cancer;
• reduces the negative manifestations of atherosclerosis;
• has a tonic effect, gives strength after physical exertion or long-term illness;
• indicated to improve recovery after surgery or a long course of antibiotics;
• improves nutrition of the heart muscles;
• strengthens the walls of veins and arteries;
• has a mild diuretic effect;
• In case of fever, it has an antipyretic effect.

Note. Regular consumption of cranberries is recommended for children because they contain vitamins and microelements, improve blood formation, enhance protective functions and brain activity.

Dried cranberries

Frequent consumption of berries helps activate metabolism and also enhances the synthesis of digestive enzymes and other active substances. Those who suffer from diabetes should definitely take into account that cranberries contain carbohydrates that are absorbed quite quickly. There is not a lot of glucose, so eating a handful of fresh fruits will not in any way affect your well-being, but your doctor should be notified.

In the context of the effect on the cardiovascular system, a few words should be said about the diuretic properties of berries. If you have low blood pressure, you should not get carried away with eating berries in significant quantities, since when fluid is removed from the body, blood pressure will decrease even more, so dizziness and weakness may occur.

For people with high blood pressure, the effect will be the opposite, so they not only can, but also need to eat cranberries. If the berries may be too sweet due to their acidity, then an alternative option would be to use cranberry juice or add berries when making fresh juices.

Beak has a positive effect on the functioning of the kidneys and, unlike other diuretics, potassium is not washed out of the body, and this is important for the activity of the heart muscles.

Factors in the manifestation of the beneficial properties of cranberries and their scope of application

HerbalDoc.ru - Herbal Consultant > Cranberry > Factors in the manifestation of the beneficial properties of cranberries and their scope of application

Cranberry is everyone's favorite northern berry. The healing properties of cranberries are known not only in Russia, but throughout the world. It was an export item in medieval Rus' and was a source of significant replenishment of the royal treasury. Cranberries were also revered by ordinary people for their unique beneficial and medicinal properties. In dried and dried form, it was prepared for the winter, soaked, juice was pressed from fresh berries and fruit juice was prepared.

Composition and beneficial properties

Cranberries are valuable as a product high in vitamins, sugars, organic acids and pectin. In terms of the amount of vitamin C, the berry is not inferior to citrus fruits; in addition, it contains vitamins B, A, E, PP, K1. Sugars in cranberries include glucose, fructose and a small amount of sucrose.

But the plant became famous not only for its rich vitamin composition. This extraordinary berry has a huge amount of antioxidants and a unique set of organic acids, including:

• lemon;
• cinchona;
• chlorogenic;
• benzoin;
• olean;
• α-ketoglutaric;
• sorrel;
• ursolic;
• γ-hydroxy-α-ketobutyric;
• apple;
• amber.

The rich composition of macro- and microelements of cranberries enhances its medicinal properties. It contains potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine. Copper, molybdenum, manganese, magnesium, chromium, and boron are present in significant quantities. In addition, the berry contains aluminum, barium, cobalt, tin, nickel, and lead. Plus zinc, silver, titanium.

The fruits contain bioflavonoids - chemicals that prolong the life of cells and maintain their health. These include anthocyanins, catechins, flavonols, and phenolic acids.

• Anthocyanins are substances responsible for the condition of blood vessels. If they are deficient, a person develops varicose veins, the slightest injury causes bruises, vision deteriorates, and brain vessels suffer.
• Catechins help speed up metabolism and prevent fat deposition. That’s why doctors recommend eating cranberries for weight loss. Catechins help remove “bad” cholesterol from the body and have antithrombotic and atherosclerotic effects. They prevent the occurrence of heart attack, stroke, and type II diabetes.
• Flavonols prevent age-related memory loss and improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
• Phenol acids have pronounced antioxidant properties and also have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive properties. The plant is widely used for cancer. It prevents the formation of malignant tumors and slows down the development of cancer cells.

Medical use

For a long time, people have used the medicinal properties of cranberries for various diseases. In particular, the berry and its infusions were used to prevent and treat scurvy, which was widespread in those days. The fruits and leaves of the plant were used as an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing agent. Cranberry juice was an excellent antipyretic for feverish conditions. The beneficial properties of cranberry and beet juice in the mixture were used for hypertension and vascular spasms.

Along with cranberries, lingonberries were also very popular. These are related berries. Lingonberries contain more vitamin PP, phosphorus and calcium. Cranberries contain more iron, potassium, and magnesium. Cranberries and lingonberries seem to complement each other with their beneficial properties.

Lingonberry and cranberry puree with honey has healing, antibacterial properties and helps with colds and sore throats. You can simply eat it with a spoon, or you can dilute 1-2 teaspoons with warm water and drink it as a fruit drink.

The medicinal properties of the berry and its use for hypertension are due to the presence of flavonoids, which help normalize blood pressure, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and increase their elasticity. The fruits have a diuretic effect and therefore lower blood pressure. For hypertension, different recipes for preparing berries are used - cranberries with honey or sugar, fruit drink, juice.

Fresh and processed cranberries, the beneficial qualities of which are especially necessary for pregnant women, are recommended for high blood pressure, swelling and lack of vitamins in expectant mothers. It improves the exchange of folic acid and iron, promotes the absorption of vitamins, and enriches the body of the mother and fetus with minerals.

Cranberry juice stimulates the pancreas and therefore this berry is especially useful for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The benefit is that in type II diabetes, the plant lowers blood sugar, and in type I, it maintains the existing sugar level and prevents its increase.

Unique combination with honey

The beneficial properties of cranberries as a natural antibiotic in combination with honey are used for acute respiratory infections and sore throats. To prepare a tasty medicine, mix crushed fruits and honey in equal proportions. The finished product is stored in the refrigerator. Drink it diluted with warm water or added to tea.

People have known about the beneficial properties of cranberry juice for a long time, and this is one of their favorite drinks. The recipes are simple and won't take much time. Here are a few fruit drink recipes that use cranberries and honey:

1. Mash a glass of sorted and washed berries. Add one and a half liters of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5–10 minutes. Remove from heat and leave for 2 hours. Strain, add 2 tablespoons of honey.
2. Grind a glass of berries in a blender and squeeze out the juice. Place the juice in a glass container, cover with a lid and put in the refrigerator. Pour the cake remaining after extracting the juice into a liter of water, boil and cook for 5 minutes. Set aside until cool. Strain, mix with the resulting juice and add 2 tablespoons of honey.

Cranberries with honey will support the immune system and enrich the body with vitamins that are lacking during the cold autumn-winter period. It is better to take linden honey - a classic anti-cold remedy. The drink is effective not only for colds, but also for inflammation of the bladder. Drink one glass 3-4 times a day.

Cranberry with honey in vodka is an ideal warming remedy in case of hypothermia in winter. To prepare a medicinal cocktail, mix 100 ml of juice with 100 ml of vodka and add a tablespoon of linden honey. At the first sign of a cold, drink a portion of the drink and go to bed. Wrap yourself up well and try to sweat. After two hours, repeat the procedure.

There are simpler recipes for preparing fruit juice, the medicinal properties of which have been proven over the years. These recipes can be used if you don’t have honey on hand:

1. Crush a glass of washed fruits with a wooden pestle. Squeeze out the juice, pour the cake with one and a half liters of water and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes. Cool the broth, strain, add the resulting juice and half a glass of sugar.
2. Place a glass of berries in a sieve (non-metallic), and place the sieve over a ceramic saucepan or some glassware. Scald the berries with boiling water and pour into a blender. Pour boiling water so that the water covers the berries and beat. Pour the mixture into the sieve again and let the juice drain. Add 100 ml of hot water to the remaining cake, boil, strain, mix with juice and add sugar to taste.

The effect of dried and dried berries on the body

Cranberries - dried and dried - are a valuable product for those who lead a healthy lifestyle. Berries in this form are doubly useful, since all the beneficial substances in them are in concentrated form.

The beneficial properties of dried cranberries are used for weight loss, and they are included in many dietary dishes. Dried and dried fruits are added to casseroles, muesli, porridge, vegetable dishes, and cottage cheese.

Sugar-free dried berry compote helps you lose extra pounds. Drink it daily, 0.5 cups before breakfast. At the end of the week, a person loses 2-3 kg by following a healthy diet. Fried and fatty foods should be excluded from the diet; there are no other restrictions. Take food in small portions 5-6 times a day.

Thanks to the beneficial properties of dried cranberries, you can increase the body's defenses. It has a positive effect on the functioning of the pancreas, liver, kidneys, digestive system, and suppresses the growth of harmful microbes. Relieves pain from cystitis, rheumatism, fever. Dried fruits contain large amounts of fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.

Industrial drying occurs by dehydration and adding sugar to reduce acidity. This product is not suitable for diabetics and people prone to obesity, so it makes sense to dry the berries yourself. To do this, the washed fruits should be placed in a colander or sieve, blanched in boiling water, the water should be allowed to drain, and the berries should dry a little. Now they can be dried in a household dryer or oven.

Dried cranberries exhibit their beneficial properties by promoting the secretion of gastric juice, removing excess fluid from the body, improving digestion and accelerating bowel cleansing. These qualities are used in the fight against obesity. The dried product is obtained by boiling berries in sugar syrup. Then the syrup is drained, and the berries are dried in the oven at a temperature of 60 degrees for 4-6 hours, not forgetting to change the paper with which the baking sheet is covered.

However, these products can be used if there are no diseases such as:

• stomach ulcer;
• duodenal ulcer;
• hyperacid gastritis (during exacerbation).

Take with caution in case of liver diseases and individual intolerance to the components that make up the fruit.

Source

The healing properties of honey

Honey is a combined product containing about 380 different ingredients. The biochemical composition and organoleptic qualities of bee nectar largely depend on external conditions: the characteristics of the flowers from which bribes are collected, the soil on which the plants grow, climate.

However, there is a complex of components that are always present in bee nectar. Among them:

• carbohydrate compounds (fructose and sucrose);
• nitrogen compounds (substances of protein and non-protein nature);
• macro- and microelements (there are about 40 mineral compounds, for example, phosphorus, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, etc.);
• fruit acids (can be in a free state or contained in essential substances; they determine the taste, aromatic and antiseptic qualities of honey);
• vitamin complex (honey is a storehouse of B vitamins, it also contains nicotinic acid, vitamins E, K, C);
• enzymes, alkaloids, etc.

Such a rich composition allows the beekeeping product to be used in the treatment of anemia, ARVI, and joint diseases. Consumption of honey leads to a decrease in glycerol esters in the body, which, with increased content, provoke the development of cardiovascular diseases.