30 June 2024 , 10:31
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An NHS GP and A&E doctor has recommended an unconventional drink for lowering blood pressure.
On TikTok, Dr. Sooj (MBBS BSc MRCGP), also known as @doctorsooj, mentioned that this drink not only lowers blood pressure, but also enhances athletic performance. Because of this, he suggests that everyone should consider incorporating beetroot juice into their diet.
For those who dislike its taste, he assures that mixing it with other ingredients can still provide health benefits. In his video, he contemplates the health advantages of beetroots.
He said: "Beetroots are excellent. Dietary nitrate has been proven to lower blood pressure both centrally and peripherally. On top of this, it can also help improve athletic performance."
According to Harvard Health: "Dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce), beets, and celery are rich in nitrates. They also contain vitamin C and other antioxidants that inhibit the reaction that creates harmful N-nitroso compounds. In fact, diets that include nitrate-rich vegetables have been associated with lower rates of cancer, including stomach cancer."
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The doctor continued that if you find the taste of beetroot off-putting, there are steps you can take to improve it. He suggests: "If you find the taste of beetroot a bit too earthy, you can also just mix it with a bit of apple or a bit of ginger and even mix it into fruit juices."
The juice can be bought from a number of local supermarkets with it ranging from around £1.50 from Ocado, £2.70 in Sainsbury's and £2 ASDA.
NHS high blood pressure warning
The NHS cautions that elevated blood pressure can exert additional strain on blood vessels, the heart, and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys, and eyes. Persistent hypertension may also heighten the risk of various severe and potentially fatal health conditions.
This includes:
- heart disease
- heart attacks
- strokes
- heart failure
- peripheral arterial disease
- aortic aneurysms
- kidney disease
- vascular dementia
They urge people to seek help if you have high blood pressure. Reducing it by even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions, they say.