Hypertension Reduction – Red Wine vs Acai Berry

It’s a fact that the French nation enjoys better cardiovascular health than many other nations in the developed world – despite their fondness of culinary treats that may not deserve the label of ‘health food’.

Known as the  ‘French Paradox’, it’s been explained by their habit of drinking good red wine everyday with their main meal. Having visited and spent time with a family in France in the past I can personally vouch that it’s true.

It’s the resveratrol in red wine that keeps your blood pressure down and your heart healthy. Resveratrol is a a powerful antioxidant that keeps your arteries healthy and working as they were intended. Additionally, resveratrol provides a number of benefits including:

• protects your arteries against oxygen free radicals
• helps prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• prevents your platelets from clumping together (reduces risk of blood clotting)
• inhibits angiotensin II (a hormone which can increase blood pressure if your body produces too much)
• improves the function of blood pressure lining

All in all, resveratrol has shown to help keep your heart and circulatory system healthy and your blood pressure down where it should be.

Resveratrol comes from the skin of red grapes but getting it via red wine is better because the alcohol in wine extracts and dissolves the resveratrol making it easier for your body to absorb. In short, you’d have to eat a basket full of grapes to get the same benefits of a glass or two of good red wine.

But what if you don’t like red wine or react badly to it? (Some people get headaches from drinking red wine.) The good news that there are other ways to get the benefits of resveratrol including buying resveratrol extracts.

 

Can a berry really be more potent than red wine?

But what has really taken the spotlight lately as the new superfood is Acai berries. Pronounced ah-sigh-ee, these berries harvested from the Amazon have been featured on US news channels, BBC, and the celebrity circuit (Oprah Winfrey and co.). They have been promoted as the new super-supplement to assist in weight loss and to retard the aging process.

What’s the big deal with acai berries? They are chock full of resveratrol. The French must be feeling so smug!

According to reports, one dose of Acai berry contains up to 30 times the amount of resveratrol as a glass of wine. So while they may not be alcoholic, acai berries are certainly potent in their effects. Acai berries have an even more powerful antioxidant action than other berries, like blueberries and strawberries, which are also helpful for lowering blood pressure. (Read more about berries and blood pressure in our article here: Are berries good for high blood pressure?)

Acai berries are also high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – healthy fats which contribute to a healthy cardiovascular system. They’re also higher in fibre than many fruits and rich in minerals, including potassium (low potassium levels tend to be associated with high blood pressure).

 

Can acai berry lower blood pressure?

In short, Acai Berry can:

• help prevent hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
• reduce HDL (so called ‘bad cholesterol’) levels
• lower blood sugar levels (if you’re overweight)
• reduce inflammation

High bad cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, hardened arteries and chronic inflammation are all now implicated in high blood pressure. So by helping alleviate these issues, taking acai berry can potentially lower your blood pressure.

To good to be true? I’m a naturally skeptical person. But there’s no doubt that acai berries are good for your health. And if you are suffering a combination of being overweight and high blood pressure, a few months of taking acai berry could be a very sound choice.

On a purely cost-based analysis, acai berry is a cheaper way to get the benefits of resveratrol than red wine. But drinking red wine is more pleasurable. Unless you could make red wine out of acai berries… now there’s an idea worth drinking to 😉

Since acai berries come all the way from the Amazon, it’s difficult to find fresh berries. However, you can order dried and powdered acai berries from the online Amazon: Acai berry products

You’ll probably also find them in your local health food shop.

 

Reduce hypertension naturally (and for less cost)

While acai berries may indeed to potent, you can’t rely on them alone to lower your blood pressure. If you want to seriously reduce your blood pressure, and keep it low, you probably need to look at what you’re eating and drinking more generally.

There are actually a huge range of foods which will help you reduce high blood pressure, and which aren’t exotic and expensive. Many of these spices, herbs, berries, fruits, grains, vegetables, meats and drinks are available in local stores.

Of course there are other factors beyond diet (like fitness and stress) that affect your blood pressure. So the best way to lower your blood pressure without drugs is to apply a broader approach – covering all causes and cures with natural home-based remedies.

As it happens, we’ve put together a guide to help you do this: Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally – The Complete 9 Step Guide

The guide contains simple and proven strategies for lowering your blood pressure and keeping it low through easy, effective and enjoyable changes in lifestyle.

These progressive steps are based on the principle that positive incremental change is always best in health matters.

Each chapter will take you further along the road of greater vigour and peace of mind (and a healthy blood pressure).

Click on the link below for more information:

Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally Guide

P.S. This guide shows you how to lower your blood pressure permanently and naturally without side-effects or complications.

Follow each step to get your blood pressure back in balance.

Choose between a wide range of delicious foods that reduce your blood pressure. Include a number of mental and physical exercises in your schedule for both relaxation and invigoration.

Following this guide will reduce, and in time, eliminate your need for blood pressure lowering medications.

This is a guide for good healthy living and will be beneficial for all – even if you don’t currently suffer from high blood pressure.

To download a sample of the guide to your computer right now click here and scroll to the bottom of the page for the download link.

Can acai berry lower blood pressure: a few references

Studies Show That Acai Berries Can Fight Cancer, Boost Immunity And More

https://foodfacts.mercola.com/acai.html

https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/acai-berry.html