A leading professor at King’s College London has revealed that eating beetroot can reduce high blood pressure three times more effectively than cutting salt intake. Professor Tim Spector, an expert in genetic epidemiology and founder of the Zoe health app, emphasized the surprising benefits of this vegetable in managing hypertension.
Beetroot has been valued since Roman times for its positive effects on blood circulation. Professor Spector explained, “Beetroot juice has a special effect on blood pressure. Numerous studies have shown that giving people beetroot juice lowers blood pressure significantly—about three times more than salt restriction alone.”
He advises those with hypertension to incorporate beetroot regularly into their diet, suggesting that consuming it three times a week, whether in salads or juice form, could yield noticeable benefits. However, he cautions that results may vary for each individual.
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Hypertension, often called the ‘silent killer,’ frequently goes undetected until it leads to serious complications like heart attacks and strokes. Professor Spector highlighted how widespread high blood pressure is across the UK and discussed natural ways to manage it through diet and lifestyle changes, reducing the need for medication.
Beyond cardiovascular risks, high blood pressure can also contribute to other health issues including kidney disease, eye conditions such as macular degeneration, hearing loss, and tinnitus — a persistent and irritating buzzing sound in the ears caused by issues in the ear’s microvasculature.
Addressing concerns about damage caused by prolonged high blood pressure, Professor Spector reassures that it is never too late to take action. “Even if you’ve had high blood pressure for years, lowering it to the optimal range of around 120 over 80 can significantly improve your body’s metabolism and reduce inflammation, lowering risks for many diseases.”
Taking a positive outlook, he encourages people to focus on future health improvements rather than dwelling on past hypertension, emphasizing the considerable benefits of managing blood pressure effectively with simple dietary choices like introducing beetroot into one’s meals.