Can tomatoes lower blood pressure?
Disease description:
I have had hypertension for a long time. Recently, I heard that eating tomatoes can lower blood pressure. I would like to ask the doctor if tomatoes can indeed help reduce blood pressure?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamin C, and potassium, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health. Currently, there is no clear clinical evidence indicating that tomatoes can directly lower blood pressure. However, some studies, including research published in internationally renowned nutritional journals by researchers from Sun Yat-sen University, have shown a certain relationship between tomato consumption and reduced risk of hypertension. The study found that daily consumption of 10-13 grams of tomatoes was associated with the lowest risk of hypertension, equivalent to about one average-sized tomato per week. This effect may be attributed to healthy components in tomatoes, such as lycopene, specific flavonoid compounds, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Additionally, the potassium in tomatoes is an important mineral that helps balance sodium levels in the body, potentially assisting in lowering blood pressure. Lycopene also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can improve vascular function and indirectly promote stable blood pressure.
However, relying solely on tomato consumption to reduce hypertension may have limited effectiveness and should be part of an overall healthy diet. Moreover, more tomatoes are not necessarily better, as excessive tomato intake may weaken its protective effects.
