The use of boiled or baked potatoes reduces blood pressure and helps prevent hypertension. This conclusion came American scientists. The results of their research are published in the journal Nutrients.
The main source of potassium in the diet of residents of Western countries – potatoes. Researchers from the university Perdy studied the effect of potassium additives on blood pressure and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. 30 men and women with diagnosed hypertension or prefypertensia took part in clinical trials. The results showed that the use of baked or boiled potatoes leads to a decrease in systolic blood pressure compared to the control group that fed a typical American diet, but without inclusion of potatoes, writes RIA Novosti.
The authors also found that, contrary to the widespread opinion on the dangers of the very calorie variant of the preparation of potatoes, potatoes, for the cardiovascular system, the daily portion of this product, containing 330 calories, does not negative effect on the blood vessels. The favorable effect of potatoes is based on the fact that it reduces sodium delay in the body, and in this regard, as scholars found out, it works even better than food additives with potassium.
The potatoes account for about twenty percent of vegetables consumed by the Americans. According to the authors, it is very important, as it helps to fill the deficit of nutrients, dietary fibers and potassium. The use of just one medium-sized potato satisfies approximately ten percent of the daily need of an adult in potassium.
Scientists note that their conclusions based on limited data are preliminary in nature, since this is the first clinical trial in which the influence of the increased potassium content in the diet of blood pressure was studied. According to the authors, still needed research, establishing a link between the useful properties of potatoes and the method of its preparation.
“While we came to the conclusion that boiled or baked potatoes helps to reduce systolic blood pressure, and French fries have no negative impact and can also be included in the diet as part of a healthy diet,” concludes a research leader.