Can Onions Really Lower Blood Pressure? Be Cautious of Blindly Relying on Food Therapy, Scientific Blood Pressure Management is Key!

Can Onions Really Lower Blood Pressure? Be Cautious of Blindly Relying on Food Therapy, Scientific Blood Pressure Management is Key!Mr. Liu, 63 years old, has been suffering from high blood pressure for many years and has been controlling his blood pressure with medication

Can Onions Really Lower Blood Pressure? Be Cautious of Blindly Relying on Food Therapy, Scientific Blood Pressure Management is Key!

Mr. Liu, 63 years old, has been suffering from high blood pressure for many years and has been controlling his blood pressure with medication. He tried to use onion-infused water to replace his blood pressure medication. After a period of time, his blood pressure did indeed decrease, so he stopped taking his blood pressure medication and relied solely on drinking onion water and eating fried onions to control his blood pressure. However, after only 3 months, Mr. Liu experienced dizziness, palpitations, and tremors, and eventually even fainted on the street. He was diagnosed with cerebral infarction, and his blood pressure soared to 170/110mmHg. Doctors analyzed that Mr. Liu's blindly stopping his medication was the main reason for this consequence. Relying solely on eating onions to lower blood pressure is unreliable.

In life, there are many people like Mr. Liu who mistakenly believe in food therapy methods and blindly stop taking medication. Many people believe that onions have the effect of lowering blood pressure and consume large quantities. So, can onions really lower blood pressure?

I. Can relying solely on eating onions really lower blood pressure?

Onions are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, water-soluble vitamins, calcium, iron, and other minerals. They also contain special sulfur-containing compounds, flavonoids, steroids, polysaccharides, and prostaglandins, among other phytochemicals. Studies have found that the prostaglandins, allicin, and flavonoids in onions have certain benefits in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, but they require a certain dosage.

However, in daily life, it is difficult for us to achieve the effective dosage through eating onions. To achieve the dosage required for lowering blood pressure, it would take dozens of kilograms or even more in a single sitting, which would undoubtedly cause adverse stimulation to the body and be counterproductive.

Zhang Zheng, a PhD in Nutrition and Food Hygiene from Soochow University, reminds that people with gastritis, peptic ulcer, or duodenal ulcer are not recommended to eat onions, as onions will irritate the gastric mucosa and aggravate the condition. In addition, people who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery, have an easy allergic constitution, or have skin itching problems are also not recommended to eat onions.

II. British Research Reveals the "Best Exercise" for Lowering Blood Pressure

Although relying solely on eating onions to lower blood pressure is not feasible, we can use other methods, such as exercise. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that isometric training had the best effect on lowering blood pressure. Common isometric exercises include wall squats, planks, and squatting.

This study was conducted by a team of scholars from Canterbury University in the UK, who conducted a meta-analysis of 270 randomized controlled trials published between 1990 and 2023, involving a total of 15,827 people. The results found that isometric training can effectively reduce blood pressure, and sustained practice can lead to a decrease in blood pressure of 8.24/4mmHg.

The effects of different types of exercise on blood pressure also differ:

• Isometric training has the greatest impact on diastolic blood pressure.

• Aerobic exercise has a greater impact on systolic blood pressure.

Ren Jingjing, Chief Physician of the General Medicine Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, reminds that patients with high blood pressure should choose the appropriate exercise method for themselves. Generally, it is recommended to mainly engage in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. In addition to isometric training, you can also choose brisk walking, Tai Chi, Baduanjin, swimming, etc.

It is recommended to start with 10 minutes of exercise at the beginning, gradually increasing the training time after adapting. During training, the maximum heart rate should be controlled at 50~60% of 220 minus age, with a slight increase in breathing and heart rate, but still able to speak normally. If you feel your heart is beating very fast or you are having difficulty breathing, stop exercising immediately.

III. Four Little Things to Do in Life to Prevent High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is very common in China. Data shows that on average, one in every three adults in China is a patient with high blood pressure, and the incidence rate has been showing a younger trend in recent years. Preventing high blood pressure requires attention to the details of life. The following four things are very important:

1. Limit Sodium Intake

The main component of salt is sodium chloride. Excessive intake of salt can lead to an increase in the sodium ion content in the body. To excrete sodium, the body needs to consume a large amount of water. When a large amount of water enters the blood vessels, it will cause a rapid increase in blood volume, increasing the pressure on the blood vessel walls, which can easily lead to high blood pressure.

2. Moderate Exercise

In recent years, the overall activity level of adult residents in China has decreased significantly. Decreased activity levels can easily lead to obesity, and obesity is closely related to the occurrence of various diseases such as the three highs and cancer. It is recommended that people of all ages actively exercise. Exercise can reduce sympathetic nerve activity, help reduce weight, and lower the risk of developing high blood pressure. It is important to maintain exercise for a long time, exercising at least 3~5 times a week, each time for at least 30 minutes.

3. Lose Weight

Overweight and obesity can significantly increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, especially for people with abdominal obesity, the risk is even greater. Controlling weight requires "controlling your mouth and moving your legs." Reduce your intake of high-fat and high-calorie foods in your daily life, and actively exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

4. Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol

Smoking and drinking are important risk factors for the development of high blood pressure. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol are necessary for preventing high blood pressure. In addition to easily inducing high blood pressure, smoking and drinking can also increase the risk of developing various diseases such as cancer, causing comprehensive harm to the body.

For patients with diseases, they must actively take medication to control their condition under the guidance of a doctor. Do not blindly believe in food therapy methods, as this can easily delay the condition and affect health.

References:

[1] "Can Eating Onions Really Lower "Three Highs"? The Truth is Here". Shaw

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])