One in three Brits living with ‘silent killer’ could be helped by these drinks

Certain fruit juices could help lower blood pressure

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One in three adults in the UK could benefit from drinking three drinks. These juices have the potential to lower blood pressure, according to studies.

Sometimes known as a “silent killer” because it often has no obvious symptoms, high blood pressure is dangerous it makes the heart work harder to push blood around the body. Over time, that extra pressure can damage blood vessels and vital organs, and has been linked with conditions including heart disease, stroke and dementia.

As reported by Blood Pressure UK, around one in three adults in the UK are living with the condition. Luckily blood pressure can often be improved with lifestyle changes. Cutting down on salt, being more active, losing excess weight, stopping smoking and keeping alcohol within recommended limits can all help.

Diet is a big part of that too – and while some foods and drinks may push blood pressure up, others may help bring it down. Here are three red-coloured juices that research suggests may have a positive effect.

Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice has been linked with improvements in blood pressure in several studies. A 2017 meta-analysis in Pharmacological Research reviewed eight randomised, placebo-controlled trials involving 574 participants.

Some people drank pomegranate juice for as little as two weeks, while others continued for up to 18 months. The analysis found the juice lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with systolic improvements seen regardless of how long participants drank it.

Beetroot juice

Beetroot juice is naturally rich in nitrates. In the body, nitrates can be converted into nitric oxide – a compound that helps blood vessels relax and widen, which can improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure.

A 2022 scientific review published in Frontiers in Nutrition looked at seven studies on beetroot juice and blood pressure, and found it reduced systolic blood pressure in people with hypertension.

Tomato juice

Tomato juice has also been studied for its potential heart-health benefits. In a 2019 study published in Food Science and Nutrition, researchers investigated the effects of drinking unsalted tomato juice.

Participants drank about 200ml a day for an average of a year. Researchers reported reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure among 94 people who had untreated high blood pressure or prehypertension.

NHS advice

The NHS recommends a number of steps that can help reduce blood pressure, including:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Exercising regularly (aim for at least 150 minutes a week)
• Losing weight if you’re overweight
• Cutting down on salt (avoid salty foods and adding extra salt to meals)
• Keeping alcohol within guidelines (no more than 14 units a week regularly)
• Not having too much caffeine (found in coffee, tea and cola)
• Not smoking

If you’re worried about your blood pressure, or think you may have hypertension, you should speak to your GP.