Control your blood pressure Naturally

A recent study suggests that watermelon is an effective weapon against the natural advantages of high blood pressure can be a precursor of cardiovascular disease. But do not interfere in the exercise, of course.

It is estimated that prehypertension up to 60 percent of American adults, or high blood pressure. Pre-hypertension is characterized by systolic blood pressure values of 120-139 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) diastolic pressure of 80-89 mmHg. "Expert" refers to the pressure of the blood when the heart contracts. "Diastolic" reflects the blood pressure when the heart in a time of relaxation and expansion.

Researchers say they have discovered that with six grams of watermelon L-citrulline/L-arginine amino acid extract was administered daily for six weeks, as was the improvement in arterial function and thus reducing blood pressure, prehypertension in the aorta, all nine subjects (four men and five postmenopausal women, aged 51-57).


They say they are the first to the hemodynamic improvement in aortic prehypertension middle-aged men, but otherwise healthy women, the therapeutic doses of watermelon and "functional food" has received a vasodilator effect and may prevent the development of full blood pressure, prehypertension a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. 

"For functional food," said Florida State University Professor Bahram H. Arjmand, co-author of the study, "we understand scientifically proven that food, health or promote disease prevention properties above other foods inherently healthy." 


What is good about watermelon?

"Watermelon is the richest natural dietary source of L-citrulline, which is closely related with L-arginine, an amino acid for the formation of nitric oxide regulation of vascular tone key and healthy blood pressure," said FSU Professor Arturo Figueroa, the author of the article.

Once in the body L-citrulline to L-arginine is converted. Consume enough L-arginine as a dietary supplement is not an option for many adults with high blood pressure, Figueroa said, because it can cause nausea, gastro-intestinal discomfort and diarrhea.

In contrast, the watermelon is well tolerated. Participants in the pilot study of the state of Florida reported no adverse effects. And also benefits vascular citrulline, watermelon provides lots of vitamin A, B6, C, fiber, potassium and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Watermelon may even help to reduce serum glucose levels after Arjmand.

"Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States," said Arjmand. "In general, Americans were more concerned about their cholesterol in the blood and cholesterol intake per day instead of all their cardiovascular risk factors of health, to cardiovascular diseases such as obesity and vascular dysfunction by arterial stiffness and thickness characterized - Questions, functional foods, like watermelon can help to alleviate.

Figueroa said that oral supplementation of L-citrulline, a reduced dose of antihypertensive agents was necessary to have to control blood pressure.

"Even better, you can prevent the progression of prehypertension to increased blood pressure in the first place," he said.

Although watermelon or melon extract is the best natural source of L-citrulline, also known as a synthetic form of tablets, Figueroa used in a previous study of young men. These studies showed that four weeks L-citrulline slow or weakened aortic blood pressure in response to cold. It was an important discovery, "said Figueroa, as there is a higher incidence of myocardial infarction with high blood pressure in the cold months of winter.

"People with high blood pressure and arterial stiffness - especially those who are older and people with chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes - would benefit from L-citrulline, synthetic or natural (water melon) form, benefit," Figueroa said. "Seems to be the optimal dose five fifty-six grams per day."