According to a new study, borscht can drastically lower blood pressure.
Borscht, you ask? What in the world is that?
No worries, it’s delicious, healthy and now available in many restaurants worldwide. Plus, it’s easy to make at home using ingredients already in your kitchen. And did I mention it lowers blood pressure?
Borscht, or beet soup, is famous in many parts of Europe. Traditionally made with beetroots and sour cream, it also has countless variations. Borscht spells good news for those with high blood pressure
It’s made up with spices, garlic, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, meat, fish, cabbage, and (of course) beets, the prime ingredient of the soup and our source of interest.
A research study involved 32 participants with high blood pressure. One group was given beet soup every day for a period of 4 weeks while the other group was not.
Within the first week, the people who consumed the soup showed a reduction in both systolic and diastolic pressure. On the other hand, those who did not eat this soup showed no change in their blood pressure readings.
Another study published in the journal Hypertension, shows that drinking 8 ounces of beetroot juice can help in reducing blood pressure by up to 10 mm/Hg. The best part is how the benefits of beetroot kick in within just minutes of drinking it and last for a whole day.
The most important player in borscht is, therefore, obviously the beetroot, the main ingredient in the soup. Beetroot is rich in nitrates that get converted into nitric oxide in the body. This nitric oxide has an important property – it causes dilation of blood vessels, thus improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
Beetroot also contributes a compound called betaine that protects the liver and reduces the levels of homocysteine, a harmful substance that contributes to heart disease and stroke.
Better still, beetroots are packed full of antioxidants that reduce levels of LDL cholesterol and protects arterial walls.
Those who are prone to kidney stones, beware though! Beetroots contain oxalates that can trigger kidney stone formation. If it’s not possible to consume the juice every day, indulge in other beet-based delicious diets.
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I am from Eastern Europe and I grew up with this soup. It is delicious and our mothers would always encourage us to eat beet soup because of its amazing health properties.
Just so you know, there is no fish in this soup. It’s traditionally made using bones to make a stock and then adding fried onion, garlic and a carrot, small chopped potatoes and of course a beet root. You also need to add a spoon of vinegar or tomatoes, some salt, pepper and fresh parsley. Serve with a spoon of sour cream.
Thanks for this great information BH!
Thanks for your post and list of ingredients.
sounds delicious the soup and it lowers blood pressure! I love to learn about foods that help improve health. Thank you for a research and sharing this important info.
Really this information is a breath of fresh air I am new with the high blood pressure thing. You took me with all the information from 171 and now on 140,although I amend the remedy from time to time. Thanks for the information.