Eating this household fruit could lower high blood pressure, say experts

Irish Daily Mirror

22-04-2025

Could eating bananas be the secret to keeping high blood pressure at bay? It seems that may indeed be the case, according to recent Canadian research which hints at the benefits of boosting the dietary potassium to sodium ratio for reducing blood pressure.
Speaking on the findings, Dr Anita Layton from the University of Waterloo in Ontario said: "Usually, when we have high blood pressure, we are advised to eat less salt. Our research suggests that adding more potassium-rich foods to your diet, such as bananas or broccoli, might have a greater positive impact on your blood pressure than just cutting sodium."
Given our ancestral diets were rich in fruits and vegetables offering a high intake of potassium versus sodium, it's suggested by researchers that human regulatory systems could be optimized for such a nutritional balance. Lead author of the study, Melissa Stadt, said: "Today, western diets tend to be much higher in sodium and lower in potassium. That may explain why high blood pressure is found mainly in industrialized societies, not in isolated societies."
Building upon existing evidence that boosting potassium can aid blood pressure control, the team has developed a mathematical model pinpointing how potassium-to-sodium ratios affect the human body, reports Surrey Live.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health issues such as heart attacks or strokes. However, it can be managed through lifestyle modifications and medication. It's particularly prevalent among the elderly, with risk factors including age, poor diet, and obesity.
Other contributing factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, long-term stress, and ethnicity - with those of Black African, Black Caribbean, or South Asian descent being more susceptible, according to NHS guidelines.
If you suspect you may have hypertension, are at risk, or are over 40 and haven't had a check-up in over five years, it's recommended to get your blood pressure checked. While it typically doesn't present any symptoms, some people may experience headaches, chest pain, and blurred vision.
The study, published in the American Journal of Physiology, Renal Physiology, also examined the impact of gender on hypertension risk. The findings revealed that men across all races are more likely to develop high blood pressure than pre-menopausal women of the same age.
However, the research noted that post-menopause, the prevalence of hypertension in women begins to increase, eventually surpassing that of men.
To maintain a healthy blood pressure, the NHS recommends sticking to a balanced diet and getting in at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. If you're carrying extra weight, shedding some pounds could also be beneficial.