Importantly, for patients who may experience adverse side effects from conventional antihypertensive medications, such as increased blood sugar and cholesterol levels, incorporating cucumber juice into their diet offers a promising alternative to reducing blood pressure.
In a new study, researchers in Indonesia found that cucumber juice can improve the efficiency of several traditional antihypertensive drugs in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
More blood pressure was lowered when losartan and cucumber were taken together than when cucumber was taken alone, indicating an additive effect. It can also enhance the effectiveness of some conventional antihypertensive medications in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
The combination of cucumber with losartan caused a greater reduction in blood pressure than the full dose of cucumber alone, suggesting an additive effect.
Hypertension is a serious health issue worldwide, leading to cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease.
Losartan is a blood pressure-lowering medicine called an angiotensin receptor blocker. Like other angiotensin receptor blockers, losartan relaxes and widens the blood vessels, thus lowering the blood pressure because it is now easier for the heart to pump blood around the body.
Cucumbers are a refreshing addition to meals and offer numerous health benefits that enhance overall body health. Their high-water content and rich nutrient profile contribute to various physiological functions.
Comprising about 95% water, cucumbers are excellent for maintaining hydration, especially in hot weather. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium, which are essential for bodily functions. Its fibre content aids digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Cucumbers possess anti-inflammatory properties and are often used to soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling. Their low-calorie count and high water content make cucumbers effective for weight loss.
For the study, the researchers evaluated the blood pressure-lowering effects of cucumber and its combination with losartan, a standard antihypertensive medication, in a rat model induced by angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is known to cause blood vessel constriction, leading to increased blood pressure.
The 2023 study in the Journal of Pharmacopuncture involved administering cucumber orally at various doses (9, 18, 27, and 36 mg/kg) to hypertensive rats.
For the combination study, losartan (2.25 mg/kg) was given alongside lower doses of cucumber (9 or 18 mg/kg), and the control group received higher doses of losartan (2.25 mg/kg or 4.5 mg/kg).
Additionally, the combination of losartan (2.25 mg/kg) with lower doses of cucumber (9 or 18 mg/kg) was tested.
The average changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for the different doses of cucumber were measured using the tail-cuff method, a common technique for assessing blood pressure in animal studies.
Specifically, the combination of half doses of cucumber with losartan resulted in a notable reduction in blood pressure (8.8/9.0 mmHg) compared to the full dose of cucumber and was comparable to the full dose of losartan (6.5/7.8 mmHg). It was a dose-dependent response, with higher doses leading to greater reductions in blood pressure.
This implies that cucumber dosages could be customised to meet the demands of specific patients, enabling individualised therapy regimens that maximise blood pressure control while reducing adverse effects.
Furthermore, this may enable the use of lower dosages of losartan, which is especially advantageous for people who have adverse reactions to greater doses of antihypertensive drugs.
The researchers suggest that cucumber may serve as a complementary treatment alongside standard antihypertensive medications like losartan, thus providing a dual approach to managing high blood pressure and potentially enhancing overall blood pressure control.
The results of the study on cucumbers and their combination with losartan, according to experts, have several significant implications for clinical practice in the management of hypertension.
“This could provide a natural alternative for patients, particularly those who prefer dietary approaches to health management. However, the study emphasises the need for further research to confirm these findings in human populations.
“Understanding the long-term effects and potential interactions with other medications will be crucial before making definitive recommendations for its use in clinical settings,” they added.
Previously, studies found that after seven days of cucumber juice consumption, participants experienced a notable decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. There was a significant reduction in systolic (20.68 mmHg) and diastolic (9.00 mmHg) blood pressure values.
Additionally, another study found that cucumber juice consumption caused a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in stage 1 hypertensive patients, with significant results.
The integration of more fruits and vegetables into the diet, particularly those rich in potassium, like cucumbers, into hypertension management, reflects a growing trend towards holistic approaches in medicine.
Healthcare providers consider dietary and lifestyle modifications such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which emphasises the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, alongside pharmacological treatments, as part of a comprehensive approach to managing hypertension.
Regular consumption of cucumbers has shown promising effects in reducing the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Multiple studies indicate that cucumber juice can significantly lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, making it a viable non-pharmacological intervention.
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