How does lemon affect blood pressure?
Blood pressure disorder is one of the most common health problems. Increased pressure causes very unpleasant, sometimes even painful sensations, which are not so easy to get rid of. However, some healthy foods, such as lemon, can be very effective in combating this disease.
Fruit features and composition
Since ancient times, lemon has been known to us as a valuable source of vitamins that are indispensable for any living organism, especially for humans. There is nothing surprising in the fact that this healthy fruit is widely distributed throughout the world, is actively cultivated artificially, and is even popular as a home ornamental plant for the garden or home.
Lemon and all its components, such as zest and freshly squeezed juice, are often found in folk recipes as the main medicinal ingredients. From ripe fruits, not only culinary supplements are prepared, but also medicinal decoctions, tinctures, pomace, suspensions and much more.
Of course, the huge popularity of lemons is not associated with its taste. This fruit has a lot of healing properties that are successfully used to get rid of many diseases, and also help to strengthen the immune system and better control blood pressure. And all this thanks to the unique composition of the fruit. To date, we know for certain that lemon contains the following components indispensable for our body.
- Vitamin C in the form of a unique citric acid. You can often find the erroneous opinion that lemon contains ascorbic acid known to many, however, this component is not in its composition. Citric acid, unlike ascorbic acid, has a wider spectrum of action. It not only strengthens the immune system, but also helps maintain the normal tone of the vascular system.
- vitamin P, which is contained in the form of citrine, a substance unique to citrus fruits. Citrine contributes to the formation of natural protection for all the mucous membranes of our body. In addition to its bactericidal effect, it also allows you to strengthen the inner surface of the arteries and capillaries, making it more resistant to changes in blood pressure.
- Iron. Lemon contains a fairly large amount of this trace element, in addition, it is easily absorbed due to the additional presence of vitamin B12 in fruits. Iron is actively used by our body for the synthesis of hemoglobin and the rich saturation of tissues with oxygen.
- Potassium. This element is very important for the work of the heart muscle. Due to the sufficient content of potassium, ripe lemon is a very effective remedy for the prevention of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.
- Zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iodine, cobalt and many other trace elements. All of them are indispensable for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system.
- A complex complex of vitamins of group B, E, D, A. These substances are most useful for a weakened senile body, and can also be very effective in case of an acute illness.
- As a food product, a ripe lemon has high energy value, that is, it contains a sufficient amount of carbohydrates and proteins.
- Organic acids, flavonoids, polysaccharides - complex bioactive components that are used in our body to regulate the processes of regeneration, recovery, metabolism.
Beneficial features
To date, all the medicinal properties of lemon have not yet been disclosed. We can note only some of them, time-tested and confirmed by many professionals, including doctors.
- Lemon helps to lower blood pressure in severe hypertension or hypertensive crises. Regular consumption of fruit pulp or adding a small amount of freshly squeezed juice to the diet helps to reduce the load on the walls of blood vessels and facilitates blood circulation, which also has a positive effect on the health of the heart muscle.
- One of the most pronounced qualities of lemon is antioxidant. It also contains a fairly large amount of a specific acid, which reduces intravital blood clotting. As a result, the risk of blood clots and subsequent blockage of the lumen of blood vessels is significantly reduced. With the right approach, lemon can very effectively complement any antiplatelet drug.
- It helps to reduce and eliminate "bad" cholesterol from the body. Due to this, atherosclerosis of the vessels is not so pronounced. Fatty plaques become smaller and less common, which is why the risk of developing acute coronary heart disease is much less.
- Strengthens the walls of blood vessels and makes them more elastic. This helps to more easily endure drops in blood pressure, as well as to avoid the dangerous consequences of a hypertensive crisis.
- Lemon also normalizes the tone of deep veins, which reduces the manifestation of varicose veins and, as a result, helps to reduce the risk of developing such a formidable complication as pulmonary thrombosis.
- Improves the absorption of iron elements. A good supply of iron to the body allows it to better carry oxygen with the blood, which has a positive effect on both the general condition and the health of the heart and blood vessels.
- Among other things, lemon has a mild laxative effect.
- Reduces emotional stress, helps to endure stressful situations more easily, copes with insomnia.
- Most preparations with the use of lemon strengthen the immune system and are very useful during periods of colds.
Contraindications
Like any medicine, lemon can be harmful if used incorrectly. It has its own contraindications for use, so sometimes, before using this fruit as a remedy, it is better to consult with your doctor.
You should be especially careful if you have at least one of the following contraindications for treatment with lemon.
- Acute peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum. First of all, lemon is an acid. When eaten, it increases the natural acidity of the stomach, and can also provoke irritation of the mucous membrane, which in the case of a peptic ulcer is fraught with a formidable complication in the form of internal bleeding.
- Chronic or acute gastritis can also be aggravated by eating lemon or products containing it.
- You should completely abandon this fruit if you have a disease that is manifested by a decrease or complete violation of the excretory function of the liver, kidneys, gallbladder.
- You have previously had an allergic reaction to any of the citrus fruits.
- Do not give lemon to young children under 3 years old! Their body has not yet developed all the necessary enzymes for the assimilation of the components of such a complex food. In their case, eating sour fruit will lead to serious digestive disorders.
Application
In medicine, lemon has been widely used as a means to combat changes in blood pressure. Until recently, there was a misconception that any lemon-based remedy directly affects blood pressure: lowers it or, conversely, raises it. In fact, the state of pressure and the composition of the lemon are not directly related in any way.
The fact is that an elderly person primarily suffers from a decrease in overall tone. This manifests itself in changes in blood pressure, as the arteries and veins are no longer able to adapt to changes in the body.
The influence of lemon just solves the cause of the appearance of such diseases. It strengthens the walls of blood vessels, makes them more elastic, dense, cleanses their surface from fatty plaques and blood clots.
Hypertensive patients
If you have frequent episodes of high blood pressure, drinking lemon will allow your body to quickly adjust to deal with them.
It is better for hypertensive patients to drink green non-hot tea with the addition of a small slice of lemon.This will help to quickly tidy up the vessels and reduce pressure. Also considered effective is a drink made from Sudanese roses - hibiscus tea. With a sharp jump in pressure, it is better to drink this tea chilled, adding a little lemon juice to it.
Also, with hypertension, in addition to lemon, it is useful to add mint, valerian, fennel, white mistletoe to drinks.
Hypotensive patients
If there is a slightly reduced or even too low blood pressure, then regular consumption of lemon will allow you to raise it to normal levels as soon as possible. Moreover, you may not be afraid of serious side effects or overdoses, as is the case with synthetic drugs.
A cup of steeply brewed tea with the addition of a slice of lemon is ideal for hypotensive patients with a decrease in pressure. The composition of the fruit, combined with tannins and caffeine, gives a quick positive effect. You can also use teas based on herbs, fruits and berries, such as lemongrass, sea buckthorn, rosemary. They should also add a little freshly squeezed lemon juice or a large slice of citrus fruit.
In addition, a tablespoon of lemon juice in its pure form can be drunk with a sharp drop in blood pressure or added to herbal decoction, mixed with apple, pomegranate, red grape juice.
Folk recipes
There are so many different tips and recipes that use lemon as the main ingredient. All of them help to better control blood pressure, preventing sudden “jumps”, hypertensive crises, and also reducing the manifestation of atherosclerosis, clearing blood vessels from plaques and blood clots.
To lower blood pressure, it is best to prepare such a mixture:
- a small ginger root, about 10 cm long, peeled and chopped in a blender;
- add a tablespoon of honey to it;
- take two medium lemons, wash with warm water and, without peeling, scroll in a blender or meat grinder;
- add a mixture of ginger and honey to the lemons, mix thoroughly;
- take 1-2 teaspoons 3-4 times a day.
There is another unusual recipe for lowering pressure, which has a more pronounced effect:
- Peel and chop 3 medium heads of garlic, for this you can use a meat grinder or blender;
- mix garlic with salt, a few small pinches are enough;
- wash 5 small ripe lemons, and grind together with the peel directly into a container with garlic and salt;
- add 2 tablespoons of honey and mix thoroughly;
- give the remedy some time to infuse, and take a few teaspoons up to 5 times during the day.
To quickly raise the pressure, it is best to use this simple folk recipe:
- Pour 1 tablespoon of dry basil leaves into a glass;
- pour boiling water over and let it brew for one hour;
- strain through cheesecloth and add 15-20 drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice to a warm infusion;
- the product is drunk like regular tea, and can be used several times during the day.
For information on how lemon affects pressure, see the following video.