Health tip of the week: Beetroot and watermelon lowers blood pressure

Do you or someone you know have high blood pressure?? Tell  them  (or yourself) to have beetroot juice 

A study has found that the dietary nitrate within beetroot juice — and similarly in green, leafy vegetables — decreases blood pressure. 

The study found that in healthy volunteers blood pressure was reduced within just one hour of ingesting beetroot juice, with a peak drop occurring three to four hours after ingestion.

Some degree of reduction continued to be observed until up to 24 hours after ingestion.

Also recent studies has suggested that watermelon can also lower blood pressure.

This is because watermelon is a rich natural source of L-citrulline, which is closely related to L-arginine, the amino acid which assists in the regulation of vascular tone and healthy blood pressure.

Of course the benefit is greatest when it is eaten in large quantities, however watermelon does have natural sugar so you don’t want to overdose on the sugar.

The best idea is to eat it regularly in reasonable sized portions, and discuss any significant diet changes with your doctor if you are on medication or have health issues.