Latest news with #AnitaLayton
The Star
04-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Have high blood pressure? It might help to eat bananas
The potassium in bananas can help manage high blood pressure, along with the cut in salty foods. — Pexels People with high blood pressure (hypertension) should eat more potassium-rich food such as bananas, according to a Canada-based team of scientists. And while hypertension patients are usually told to cut back on salt, such advice could be something of a banana skin if not accompanied by more potassium, it seems. '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,' said University of Waterloo professor of applied mathematics, computer science, pharmacy and biology Dr Anita Layton. Usually ranked alongside the tomato as the world's most-consumed fruit, the banana is popular as a filling, energy-laden snack and as a hangover preventive due to the same potassium that makes it a must-eat for hypertension patients. 'Early humans ate lots of fruits and vegetables, and as a result, our body's regulatory systems may have evolved to work best with a high-potassium, low-sodium diet,' said Melissa Stadt, a PhD candidate under Prof Layton and lead author of the research paper, which was published in the American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology . '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 industrialised societies, not in isolated societies,' Stadt says. Increasing consumption of salty, processed food has in turn seen a rise in so-called lifestyle ailments such as diabetes and heart disease, as more and more people adopt more sedentary, less physically demanding work and lifestyles. And with high blood pressure affecting an estimated three in 10 of adults globally, the prevalence of stroke and kidney disease has grown in turn. 'In recent years, the prevalence of hypertension has risen globally,' the researchers warn, putting the increase down to factors including 'the ageing of the global population and heightened exposure to lifestyle risk factors, including decreased physical activity and the popularity of Western diets.' – dpa
Daily Mirror
27-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
High blood pressure diet: 16p fruit is 'best way' to avoid horror silent killer
A new study suggests increasing the ratio of dietary potassium to sodium intake may be more effective for avoiding high blood pressure than simply reducing salt in the diet Bananas are the best way to beat high blood pressure, according to new research. The fruit and broccoli are key sources of potassium which helps regulate blood pressure, say scientists. The new study suggests increasing the ratio of dietary potassium to sodium intake may be more effective for lowering blood pressure than simply reducing salt in the diet. High blood pressure - often referred to as the "silent killer"- affects more than three in 10 adults, and is the leading cause of coronary heart disease and stroke. It may also trigger other health issues, including chronic kidney disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and dementia. Professor Anita Layton, of the University of Waterloo, Canada, 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." She explained that potassium and sodium are both electrolytes – substances that help the body send electrical signals to contract muscles. They also affect the amount of water in the body as well as performing other essential functions. Study lead author Melissa Stadt, a doctoral candidate in Waterloo's Department of Applied Mathematics, said: "Early humans ate lots of fruits and vegetables, and as a result, our body's regulatory systems may have evolved to work best with a high potassium, low sodium diet. 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 industrialised societies, not in isolated societies." While previous research found that increasing potassium intake can help control blood pressure, the Canadian team developed a mathematical model that successfully identifies how the ratio of potassium to sodium impacts the body. The model also identifies how sex differences affect the relationship between potassium and blood pressure. The study, published in the American Journal of Physiology, found that men develop high blood pressure more easily than pre-menopausal women. But men are also more likely to respond positively to an increased ratio of potassium to sodium, according to the findings. The research team say that mathematical models, like the one used in the study, allows experiments to identify how different factors impact the body quickly, cheaply, and ethically.
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Common fruit scientists say you should eat more of to lower blood pressure
A new study has suggested that increasing the ratio of dietary potassium to sodium intake could be effective in lowering blood pressure Could tucking into a banana each day fend off high blood pressure? A recent Canadian study indicates it might just do the trick. Scientists have discovered that a higher dietary potassium to sodium ratio can effectively reduce blood pressure levels. Dr Anita Layton of the University of Waterloo in Ontario said on the findings, saying: "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." Our ancestors consumed abundant fruits and vegetables, which implies our bodily systems might have adapted to operate optimally with diets rich in potassium and low in sodium. Lead researcher Melissa Stadt commented: "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." Past studies have recognized the benefits of upping potassium for managing blood pressure, but the team has now crafted a mathematical model illustrating how the balance of potassium to sodium affects our physiology, 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 more prevalent in older adults, and factors like age, unhealthy diet, and being overweight can increase your risk. Other contributing factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, long-term stress, and ethnicity - with the NHS highlighting that individuals of Black African, Black Caribbean, or South Asian descent are at a higher risk. If you suspect you may have hypertension, are at risk, or if you're over 40 and haven't had a check-up in over five years, it's advisable to get your blood pressure checked. Although it typically doesn't present any symptoms, in some cases, it can cause 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 rise, eventually surpassing that in men. To maintain a healthy blood pressure level, it's advised to follow a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity - ideally, a minimum of 150 minutes per week. If you're carrying excess weight, shedding some pounds is also beneficial, as per NHS guidance.
Irish Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Eating this household fruit could lower high blood pressure, say experts
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.
