Research has shown that cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale have the ability to lower blood pressure. The researchers stated that these vegetables, also known as superfoods, not only help reduce blood pressure in adults with mild hypertension but also, as a result, can decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia studied the effects of cruciferous vegetable consumption on blood pressure in 18 men and women aged 56 to 72 with mild to moderate hypertension (systolic blood pressure 120-160 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure below 100 mmHg).

 

The researchers collected data on physical activity and stress levels in addition to the participants' diets, and had them participate in two experiments conducted over two weeks. There was a two-week rest period between each experiment. In the first experiment, participants consumed four servings of root vegetables and squash per day (control group), and in the second experiment, they consumed cruciferous vegetables.

Analysis of the results showed that, overall, consuming cruciferous vegetables four times a day for two weeks helped lower systolic blood pressure. According to the researchers, during this period, the 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure decreased by 2.5 mmHg, which could reduce the risk of major cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or stroke by approximately 5%. However, it was found that it did not affect nighttime systolic blood pressure.

 

During this period, serum triglyceride levels also decreased significantly compared to the control group. Additionally, body weight, which plays an important role in blood pressure management, decreased at both time points. Given that the degree of weight loss was similar, the difference in blood pressure change does not appear to be due to weight reduction.

 

The researchers explained, "Among vegetables historically studied for their anticancer effects, cruciferous vegetables are known to have excellent efficacy against cardiovascular diseases," and "Increasing the intake of these vegetables will have a significant impact on reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases."

 

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The name of the cruciferous vegetables is difficult, isn't it?

You can think of it as the broccoli we always eat.

 

Also, cauliflower fried rice has been appearing quite often these days.

Kale is also a vegetable in the cruciferous family.

 

Research findings suggest that it has the effect of lowering blood pressure.

For those interested in blood pressure, it would be good to remember the cruciform.