High blood pressure Violet potatoes lower the increased blood pressure according to studies

Hypertension: Blue potatoes help
In this country violet potatoes are not very common. Wrong, because the taste of the so-called "truffle potatoes" have much to offer. In addition, they can lower the blood pressure at high blood pressure lasting, as a study of the University of Scranton in the US state of Pennsylvania showed. The scientists pointed out, however, that the effect would be measurable only if the tuber was regularly consumed

Regular consumption of blue potatoes lowers blood pressure and helps reduce excess weight. Researchers at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania discovered this as part of a student research project. Responsible for this effect are the secondary plant substances contained in the blue potato, which gives the tuber a bluish color.

Blue potatoes lower the blood pressure. Picture: Angel Simon-fotolia

The blue potato is known to connoisseurs as the French truffle potato or "vitelotte". The tasty potato is a very rare blue-violet original potato variety from which the local potato comes out. Even the natives in Peru and Bolivia were convinced of the healthiness of the blue potato. Scientists at the University of Scranton found an interesting connection during a study with obese people and thus became aware of the health-promoting effect of the tuber. Eighteen subjects, all of whom were overweight and hypertensive, ate the blue-violet potato every day for a month.

At the end of the study, it was shown that blood pressure had been shown to be slightly lower in all subjects, as researcher Joe Vinson's research team reported on Wednesday at a health conference hosted by the American Chemical Society.

Phytochemicals lowered blood pressure
The participants should eat the blue potato, because especially bright colored vegetables and fruits contain a particularly large number of phytochemicals. For a long time it has been known in scientific circles that phytochemicals have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and, for example, significantly reduce the risk of suffering a myocardial infarction. To achieve an effect, the obese twice a day consumed six to eight equal sized potatoes in a container. The special feature: The blue potato was previously not cooked or prepared in oil, but cooked only in the microwave.

During the study, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were continuously measured. The systolic blood pressure value indicates the intensity with which the heart pumps the blood into the arteries. The diastolic, ie the lower value shows how strong the blood pressure is when the heart relaxes again. After the potato diet, the researchers found a lowered systolic blood pressure by 3.5 percent and a lowered diastolic value of 4.3 percent, based on the average of all participants.

Although the overweight could lose no weight during the study period, but they also gained no weight. The results are also noteworthy because it has been medically proven that in most cases the blood pressure decreases as a result of weight loss. But since the weight was constant for all participants, it can be assumed that the blue tuber has an effective effect here.

It depends on the preparation
The potato is wrongly said to have an unhealthy mode of action due to its starchy consistency. This is also the opinion of study author Joe Vinson. As he said on the fringes of the congress: "The potato probably has an undeservedly bad reputation, more than any other vegetable, which has led many health-conscious people to remove them from their diet." However, it depends on the natural preparation. Those who eat more potato chips or French fries, harms his health. Because of the high heating a majority of the positive ingredients is destroyed. What remains is fat, strength and some minerals.

Since 2004, farmers have managed to cultivate the blue potato in Germany as well. Therefore, consumers can now buy the special potatoes commercially. One more reason for blood pressure patients to include the blue tuber in their diet. Because hypertension increases the risk of heart failure, calcification of the arteries, eye disorders and myocardial infarction in the long term. Those who move a lot and eat well, make a significant contribution to lower high blood pressure. (Sb)