Excellent Methods for Lowering Blood Pressure Using One Superfruit

Excellent Methods for Lowering Blood Pressure Using One Superfruit

Tomatoes contain lycopene, a potent antioxidant that lowers blood pressure. A recent study confirms what Italians have known for centuries: Tomatoes lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. Other antioxidants found in tomatoes make this a superfood for heart disease prevention. According to an Israel study, including tomatoes in your diet can reduce systolic blood pressure by 10 points. Tomatoes are also good for your immune system and lower your blood pressure. Here are some ways to enjoy tomatoes without eating them fresh from the vine.

Did you get your lycopene today? If you ate a green salad with fresh chopped tomatoes, you not only got a healthy dose of this potent antioxidant, but you also helped to lower your blood pressure. A recent Israeli double-blind study confirmed what heart-healthy Italians have known for centuries: tomatoes (and tomato sauce) lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.

The Israeli study was led by Dr. Esther Paran, director of the Soroka Medical Center's hypertension division. Patients who were already being treated for hypertension but were not responding well to the medications were included in the study. Dr. Paran prescribed a tomato extract supplement to his patients. After only four weeks, there was a significant drop in blood pressure.

Because tomatoes contain lycopene, they are extremely effective at lowering blood pressure. This powerful antioxidant is even the focus of some hybrid tomatoes grown by the Israeli company Lycomato in order to increase lycopene concentrations in each piece of fruit. Other antioxidants found in tomatoes make this a superfood for heart disease prevention. It can even help prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, which causes it to stick to the arteries and narrow the passageway, increasing blood pressure.

Even during peak season, it can be difficult to consume four whole tomatoes per day, which is the recommended amount for lowering blood pressure. Here are some ways to reap the benefits of tomatoes without eating them fresh from the vine.

1. Make the chili. Using tomato puree, a concentrated form of tomatoes, as the base for your chili allows you to reap the antioxidant benefits without the bulk of a whole tomato. Add some ultra-lean, high-protein ground bison and kidney beans, along with minced garlic, onions, and cayenne pepper, and you've got a heart-healthy main course and a full day's allowance of tomato.

2. Because the addition of olive oil to tomatoes improves their curative properties, make your pasta sauce red with tomatoes, tomato paste, and olive oil to sauté the garlic and onion. Tomato paste, which is used to make sauce, has more than ten times the nutrients of a single tomato.

3. Serve either of these entrees with a fresh salad and one whole tomato on top. That's one-quarter of your daily tomato intake.

4. Consume tomato juice. Making your own fresh juice allows you to control the sodium content. Sugar and sodium-based preservatives can be found in store-bought juices. If you have a juicer, you can customize some amazing veggie juices to your liking by adding carrots, celery, and some low-sodium seasonings.

5. Consume tomato supplements. If you simply cannot tolerate tomatoes, a 200 mg supplement provides the equivalent of more than four tomatoes.

According to the Israel study, including tomatoes in your diet can reduce systolic blood pressure by 10 points and diastolic blood pressure by 4 points. Tomatoes, in any form, will boost your immune system and lower your blood pressure.