Drinking a particular fruit juice each day could help millions of Brits living with a potentially dangerous health issue. Studies indicate this crimson drink may lower high blood pressure, a complaint that impacts roughly one in three people across the UK.

For millions of British citizens grappling with high blood pressure, a simple and flavorful solution might be found in a daily glass of a certain fruit juice. Research suggests that a vibrant red beverage could effectively reduce high blood pressure, a condition affecting approximately one-third of the UK population.

High blood pressure, medically known as hypertension, forces the heart to exert extra effort to circulate blood throughout the body. This increased strain can eventually lead to significant damage to the heart, arteries, and vital organs.

If left unchecked, high blood pressure can escalate into severe health crises, including heart attacks and strokes. The condition can be influenced by various factors, with diet playing a pivotal role. Foods laden with salt are particularly detrimental, as excess salt causes the body to retain water, thereby elevating blood pressure levels.

Conversely, some foods and drinks can promote healthier blood pressure levels. A study published in 2019 in the Food Science and Nutrition journal highlights a potential remedy: a certain fruit juice consumed regularly could offer substantial benefits.

Researchers based in Tokyo, Japan, discovered that consuming unsalted tomato juice every day could significantly bring down blood pressure readings. The research also showed it could lower bad cholesterol, another contributor to heart disease.

The research comprised 481 participants who were provided with unrestricted access to tomato juice throughout a 12-month timeframe. Scientists evaluated cardiovascular risk indicators, including blood pressure readings, serum lipid profiles and glucose tolerance levels, at both the commencement and conclusion of the investigation.

Those diagnosed with hypertension or prehypertension witnessed “significantly lowered” blood pressure readings. Tomato juice intake per day varied from 84 to 215 ml, with the majority of subjects consuming around one bottle (200 ml).

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The research authors observed: “Blood pressure (BP) in 94 participants with untreated prehypertension or hypertension was significantly lowered. Further, the serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) level in 125 participants with untreated dyslipidemia significantly decreased.

“These beneficial effects were not different between sexes and among the different age groups. No significant difference in lifestyle was found before and after the study. Unsalted tomato juice intake improved systolic and diastolic BP and serum LDL‐C level in local Japanese residents at risk of cardiovascular conditions.”

The investigators proposed that the decrease in blood pressure could be linked to lycopene, an antioxidant found within tomatoes. “Tomatoes contain a variety of bioactive components that make them and their products, including tomato juice, beneficial for health,” they stated.

“Above all, lycopene is well known for its strong antioxidant activity and the inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation, which plays a key role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis.

“Several epidemiological studies have suggested that lycopene could contribute to the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.”

This evidence is further supported by separate research featured in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology in 2023. Researchers found that among individuals who did not have hypertension when the study commenced, those who consumed the greatest quantities of tomatoes (more than 110 grams per day) reduced their overall risk of developing hypertension by 36 per cent, compared with those consuming the smallest amounts (less than 44 grams).

According to the NHS, if you are below 80 years of age, you are usually deemed to have elevated blood pressure if your measurement is either:

• 140/90 or higher when taken by a medical professional
• 135/85 or higher when taken at home

For those aged 80 and above, you are generally regarded as having raised blood pressure if your reading is either:

• 150/90 or higher when taken by a medical professional
• 145/85 or higher when taken at home

Should you have any worries regarding your blood pressure, it is advisable to speak with your GP.