Grape Juice Has Polyphenols That Drop Blood Pressure

Cutting back on salt and hitting the gym are fine ways to drop your blood pressure (BP). But here's another: Drink grape juice.

When hypertensive men in an 8-week study drank a couple of servings of Concord grape juice each day, they enjoyed a significant drop in their blood pressure compared with the placebo-sipping group. Now that's something to make your heart sing!

Get Juiced!
The study participants drank two 16-ounce servings of the juice daily. But keep in mind that grape juice calories will add up, so don't drink too much without kicking out another calorie source. Researchers applaud the polyphenols in both grape juice and purple grapes for the blood-pressure-lowering benefit. It's thought that these compounds trigger the production of nitric oxide, a chemical that dilates blood vessels, which in turn helps lower the pressure inside them. Discover how a certain type of pasta also may lower your blood pressure.

Do More to Drop It
The polyphenols in grapes, grape juice, and red wine may quell inflammation and hinder platelet production as well -- two additional good-for-your-heart benefits. But to really make a significant ding in your BP, you need to adopt some sturdier pressure-easing habits other than sipping grapes:

• Ease up on the salt. Try these flavorful won't-miss-the-salt recipes from RealAge.
• Think thin. If you are overweight or obese, your blood pressure is likely to creep up. The RealAge More to Lose Center can help you focus on your weight loss goals.
• Keep it friendly. Nurturing friendships can do wonders for your blood pressure. Here's how.
• Walk it out. A foot-minded lifestyle is great for your heart and your arteries. Here's how hoofing it for 10 minutes, here and there, helps your blood pressure.

Have questions about blood pressure? This printable sheet can help guide you through a conversation with your doctor.