Heart failure is real, and it often begins with high blood pressure. It’s a silent killer in the African-American community.
If you aren’t experiencing high blood pressure, then you most likely know someone who is.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 40 percent of Blacks are living with high blood pressure. Blacks have the highest prevalence of the disease than any other race.
Some experts believe, however, that one vegetable is the key to preventing heart diseases such as high blood pressure.
7. Beet Juice
Researchers found the link between a stiffening heart and high blood pressure, which makes the heart muscle thicken.
In a 2010 study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, experts learned that half a liter of beet juice can do wonders for a young man’s diet. It improved their exercise and performance each day.
Another study, in 2011, found that people ages 54 to 80 also improved their peripheral vascular disease with beet juice.
6. Kombucha
Odds are you’ve seen this “it” drink slowly infiltrating the outer edges of your grocery store. You may have even tried it in an attempt to appear “in the know.”
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However, the benefits of kombucha (fermented tea) lie… not in the “coolness factor”, but in the probiotics. Countless studies have shown that regular consumption (more than eight weeks) of probiotics can help to reduce blood pressure and even help maintain healthy blood pressure.
5. Hibiscus tea
Hibiscus is packed with bioactive phytochemicals, which are natural ACE inhibitors. Studies show that this tea can be used to lower blood pressure.
4. Low-fat milk
As more studies come out about the need for us to drink less cow’s milk and look for alternatives, this can be an exception. Studies have found calcium to be beneficial to lower blood pressure levels. Don’t go for the full-fat and whole milk, though. Low-fat milk has more calcium and doesn’t contain the added fat found in whole milk.
3. Pomegranate juice
Not only is it tasty, but it’s healthy for those with hypertension. Those ACE inhibitors can also be found in pomegranates. In one study, this juice reduced ACE – an enzyme that can raise blood pressure – by 36 percent.
2. Cranberry juice
This juice is good for more than just UTIs. Filled with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, cranberry juice can prevent any spikes in blood pressure. It can also dilate blood vessels, which increases blood flow. Be sure to get the unsweetened version of cranberry juice, as the added sugar is no good for your heart.
1. Water
It may sound cliche’, but water is one of the healthiest way to manage hypertension, of course (you already knew that, right?). With dehydration, blood vessels can constrict and the body goes into water-saving mode. Therefore, the body reduces the amount of water loss through sweat, urination, and breathing. Your heart works harder, and your blood pressure goes up.
Water will help prevent chronic dehydration and your blood vessels from tightening.
4 Juices To Detox Your Liver
Digestion: Bile, a digestive juice produced by the liver, helps the body absorb fat into the bloodstream.
Immunity: According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the liver is a part of the immune system which functions through the Kupffer cells that line the sinusoids. Kupffer cells play an important role by capturing and digesting bacteria, fungi, parasites, worn-out blood cells, and cellular debris.
Metabolism: The liver is responsible for metabolizing carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins into biologically useful materials, like energy, glucose, and amino acids.
Essential nutrients: Provides storage for essential nutrients, such as vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, and the minerals iron and copper, in turn providing a constant supply of essential substances to the body’s tissues.
To give your liver a healthy boost, try one of these fresh juices…
LIVER DETOX JUICE
Ingredients:
1 beet (medium size)
6 celery stalks
1 cup fresh cilantro
½ lemon
1 knob ginger
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to the juicer. Gently stir and consume immediately.
LIVER BOOSTING BEET JUICE
Ingredients
1 beet
1 carrot
1 lemon, peeled
1 handful parsley
Instructions:
Run all ingredients through a juicer and enjoy.
DEEP GREEN LIVER DETOX
Ingredients:
1/2 cucumber
2 cups kale
1 lime, peeled
1 cup swiss chard
1/2 lemon, peeled
Instructions:
Run all ingredients through a juicer and enjoy.
ULTIMATE LIVER & KIDNEY CLEANSING JUICE
Ingredients:
1 large cucumber
2 heads romaine lettuce
2 nectarines
2 medium lemons (skin peeled)
3 clementines (skin peeled)
5 kale stems
1 green apple
1 knob of ginger
Instructions:
Simply run all ingredients through a juicer and consume immediately.
Other liver supporting foods and herbs (to consume on a daily basis):
- Beets
- Carrots
- Lemons
- Limes
- Dark Leafy Greens
- Sulphur rich foods: onions and garlic
- Cruciferous veggies: broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower
