The effect of cranberry on blood pressure

Hypertension is getting younger every year.Many factors contribute to this - age over 45, inactive lifestyle of young people, uncontrolled excessive weight, bad habits in the form of smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as concomitant diseases. Many doctors forget that not only drugs can cope with this ailment, but also folk remedies, which, if properly prescribed and administered, will help the patient, especially at a young age, with increased pressure.

The composition of this small berry is full of plenty of vitamins and trace elements, which is why it has many positive properties. One handful of cranberries contains:

• proteins - 0.6 g, fats - 0.2 g, carbohydrates - 3.5 g (glucose - 2.2%, fructose - 1.5%, sucrose - 3.3%);
• dietary fiber - 3.5 g, ash - 0.3 g;
• water - 9 g;
• organic acids - 3.5 g (amber, benzoic, malic, quinic, oxalic, chlorogenic, oleander);
• B vitamins: thiamine (B1) - 0.025 mg, riboflavin (B2) - 0.015 mg, nicotinic acid (B3) - 0.2 mg, pyridoxine (B6) - 0.07 mg, folic acid (B9) - 0.9 mg;
• ascorbic acid - 15 mg;
• tocopherol (vitamin E) - 1 mg;
• macronutrients: sodium - 2 mg, phosphorus - 12 mg, calcium - 14 mg, magnesium - 16 mg, potassium - 120 mg, manganese - 1 mg, molybdenum - 0.4 mg, copper - 0.6 mg.

Consider the general positive properties of cranberries.

• Increases immunity due to the large amount of vitamin C.
• It improves the general condition after the first use, as the body is enriched with essential trace elements and vitamins. This makes the person more active.
• Prevention of colds and viral diseases is carried out by a variety of organic acids.
• Cancer prevention is due to its powerful antioxidant properties, which is why cranberry helps to stop the growth of tumor cells.
• Increases secretory activity in atrophic gastritis.
• The antipyretic effect is facilitated by acids and a good vitamin composition.
• Antiparasitic. The composition of cranberries affects the health of the parasites, it destroys microorganisms from the inside.
• Hypotensive effect is due to flavonoids. With them, cranberry lowers high blood pressure.
• Tonic property.
• Excellent remedy for constipation. Due to the increased secretion of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal peristalsis improves, which subsequently normalizes the process of its emptying.

In order to start applying cranberries for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes, need to remember a few recommendations.

• First of all, consult a doctor. The doctor will assess your general health and the presence of risk factors for the development of arterial hypertension, measure the level of blood pressure, examine laboratory and diagnostic indicators, and take into account associated diseases. Only after such a consultation can you start taking cranberries in order to reduce hypertension.
• For this purpose, use only high quality raw materials. It is best to collect yourself. Also, a quality product can be purchased at pharmacies, just do not forget to check the expiration date of the drug. Store medicinal berries as a manufacturer requires, in a dry dark place that is not accessible to children.

• Do not abuse the use of natural medicines, as this may trigger the development of many other diseases.
• Remember that medicinal berries will act only when you yourself will contribute to the elimination of risk factors. That is, you can not drink alcohol, smoke, eat fatty foods, move a little.Otherwise, the use of this tool will be ineffective.
• Before combining cranberries with other drugs, consult your doctor. The compositions of the funds may contradict each other, while inhibiting the main effect of the drug.

Cranberry has certain beneficial properties for the treatment of hypertension.

• Reducing bad cholesterol. Atherosclerosis is the most common risk factor for high blood pressure. Substances that make up cranberries, such as antioxidants and anthocyanins, can reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the vessels and remove harmful cholesterol from the body.
• Anti-inflammatory property. With atherosclerosis, inflammatory processes often occur in the vessels. A large number of organic acids and trace elements helps to prevent inflammation.
• Strengthening the vascular wall. Cranberries include such unique substances as flavonoids. They help to strengthen not only blood vessels, but also the walls of the heart. Due to this, blood circulation is improved, normalization of heart rhythm is observed.

• Thrombosis reduction is one of the important properties of this berry. Acids thin the blood, which prevents the formation of a blood clot - a blood clot.
• Expansion of vessels. This effect is just the same needed to lower blood pressure.
• A large number of trace element potassium raises the tone all elements of the cardiovascular system.
• Restoration of metabolic processes in the body it contributes to weight loss, elimination of toxins and slags from the body.
• Analgesic effect. In people who suffer from hypertension, one of the first symptoms of increased pressure is headache. The use of medicinal cranberries will not only reduce the pressure, but also eliminate this painful symptom.

Despite the large number of positive properties that cranberries possess, There are some contraindications to its use.

• In no case can you use cranberries for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the period of acute esophagitis, gastritis, enteritis, colitis, proctitis. It has already been described above that this medicinal berry increases secretory activity, which is why it can cause an exacerbation of the disease or a complication. Therefore, if you have any of the listed diseases, it is best to consult a doctor or refuse to use this tool.
• Diseases of the oral cavity. Inflammation of the gums, stomatitis, weak tooth enamel are also serious contraindications. Cranberry in its composition has a lot of organic acids, which have a damaging effect on damaged mucous membranes and tooth enamel.
• Taking cranberries under reduced pressure is a relative contraindication. Sometimes, folk healers prescribe cranberry fruits at low pressure. But do not forget that the composition of the berries is aimed at reducing high pressure. Therefore, such a paradoxical phenomenon should be considered in favor of the most studied positive properties.
• Hypersensitivity. With great care you need to treat the red berry to people who often have allergic reactions.
• Gout is also a concern for cranberry treatment.
• Urolithiasis is also an absolute contraindication, as organic acids contribute to the destruction of stones, and this can lead to renal colic.

There are many healing recipes for dishes from cranberry berries. But for each disease there are special proportions and methods of preparation. They must be observed in order to preserve one or another important element of the composition that affects a particular disease.

• Cranberries with honey. This recipe is used to prevent risk factors for hypertension, it is very easy to prepare.To do this, you need to take 1 glass of berries (preferably fresh ones, but fresh frozen ones will also work) and 0.5 of the same glass of honey. Berries need to grind to a mushy state, then mix thoroughly with honey. If you have an increased sensitivity to the components of honey, replace it with sugar. This folk remedy is used 4 times a day and 1 tablespoon after meals.

• Cranberry juice. This recipe is aimed at reducing blood pressure for therapeutic purposes. For fruit drink, you need 2 cups of berries, pour 1.5 liters of water. Bring to a boil, and then boil a couple more minutes. Do not brew a drink for a long time, as this is not a compote. Then you need to strain the juice from the berries. And squeeze the juice out of them and add it to the drink. To juice was not sour, you can give it a taste with sugar or honey. This drink should be drunk 2 times a day for half a cup, regardless of the pressure rise.

• Cranberry juice. This recipe is used exclusively for medical purposes. Berries should be fresh or frozen. You will need at least a kilogram of cranberries, which you need to wash beforehand, and then squeeze the juice out of it. This can be done with a juicer or grinder. Pure juice can be sweetened with maple syrup. A tasty drink should be consumed in a small amount no more than 3 times a day, preferably half an hour after a meal.

• Cranberry tea. Such a drink is used most often for preventive purposes, and cranberry lovers indulge in such tea all the time. For this recipe fit any berries as fresh, fresh frozen, and dried. In a teapot we fall asleep your favorite black or green tea, you can also use herbs in the form of mint, lemon balm, valerian, thyme. After that, add two teaspoons of cranberry fruit and pour boiling water over it. We give such a healing drink to brew for about 10-15 minutes, after which the delicious and healthy tea is ready for use.

• Milk-cranberry smoothie. Such a delicacy is not only a remedy for hypertension, but also improves mood, delighting with its taste. The recipe is very simple. You need to pour 1 cup of milk into a blender and add 1 cup of cranberries there too. To enhance the nutritional value of this drink, you can add 1 banana. Beat all these ingredients, and after that you can use them. Smoothies can be drunk 2 times a day: in the morning during breakfast and in the evening after dinner or before bedtime.

To learn how to cook cranberry juice, see the following video.