High blood pressure is a silent killer, responsible for about 1,000 deaths daily. It often shows no symptoms but leads to dangerous conditions such as stroke and heart disease. To counter this, a new super fruit has emerged – the Montmorency cherry, a sour cherry that is usually grown in Michigan and Door County, Wisconsin. These tiny fruits pack a punch health-wise and have powerful blood pressure benefits.
The Health Benefits of Montmorency Cherries
There’s evidence that the juice of tart cherries like the Montmorency variety can protect your body from oxidative damage, a process caused when your cells are being bombarded by free radicals and don’t have enough antioxidants to protect themselves. Oxidative damage leads to a variety of diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It’s crucial to stop oxidative damage sooner rather than later.
Moreover, the Montmorency cherry can help save you from the dangerous effects of high blood pressure. Researchers from Northumbria University in the UK discovered that drinking Montmorency tart cherry juice actually lowers your blood pressure.
A Natural Alternative to Medication
A cup of cherry juice beats the traditional prescription medications your doctor would write for high blood pressure, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers. All of these potentially come with unpleasant side effects that can strip away your good health. Cherry juice can do the trick instead.
The researchers found that drinking tart cherry juice was just as effective as prescription drugs, actually reducing blood pressure by about 7%. According to the study, this drop in blood pressure means that participants lowered their risk for stroke by a staggering 38% and their risk for coronary heart disease by 23%.
Participants in the study drank 60 ml of tart cherry juice concentrate mixed with water, and they observed their blood pressure drop within just three hours.
Even More Delicious Blood Pressure Remedies
In case you’re wondering, cherries aren’t the only tasty, all-natural remedy for high blood pressure. Cinnamon, dark chocolate, and pomegranate have also shown in scientific studies to provide major benefits in the blood pressure department. Science like this makes eating your way to a healthier blood pressure much more enjoyable.
The Takeaway
Montmorency cherries carry both antioxidant and blood-pressure-lowering effects in their juice. With such a simple and natural remedy available, there may be no need to rely on prescription medications with harmful side effects. Embrace the power of these little super fruits and incorporate them into your daily diet as an effective way of managing blood pressure. This, combined with the natural alternatives like cinnamon, dark chocolate, and pomegranate, can make your journey to a healthier blood pressure both delicious and effective.
