Research shows that eating potassium-rich foods (such as nuts and bananas) is effective in controlling blood pressure in women.
High blood pressure is often the trigger for strokes or heart attacks, the leading cause of death for people around the world. A recent study has shown that women can improve the protection of their cardiovascular system from fatal damage caused by high blood pressure, if they use such a natural remedy as potassium – writes the German publication Focus, citing the results of the work of doctors from the University Hospital of Amsterdam.
Scientists have come to the conclusion about the benefits of potassium for women's heart and blood vessels, after analyzing data from 25,000 patients:
“It turned out that increasing potassium intake helps lower blood pressure, and this association was observed only in women with high sodium intake. In men, no relationship was found between potassium and blood pressure.”
According to experts, the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease in the observed women, who began to consume more potassium, decreased by 11 percent.
How does potassium actually work?
Researchers explain that potassium directly contributes to lowering blood pressure through interaction with the kidneys and with sodium. Under the influence of potassium, tension in the walls of blood vessels decreases, which, in turn, has a beneficial effect on heart health.
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From what foods can you get potassium?
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Potassium is found in a variety of foods – for example, a medium-sized banana contains about 422 mg of potassium. The German Nutrition Society also recommends the following high potassium foods:
- Apricots
- Carrots
- Kolrabi
- Tomatoes
- Nuts such as hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts and almonds are also high in potassium.
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Previously MedikForum.ru published some expert nutrition advice for people over 60.