Three glasses of red wine a week can help lower blood pressure, a study has found.
A higher intake of foods rich in flavonoids - including berries, apples, tea and red wine has been linked to lower blood pressure in analysis by Queen's University in Belfast and Kiel University in Germany.
Moderation is key, with researchers finding that about three glasses of red wine per week was optimal, while for berries the suggested amount was 80g a day.
The study focused on how microbes in the gut break down flavonoids found in those foods and drinks, which then results in a drop in blood pressure.
"Our gut microbiome plays a key role in metabolising flavonoids to enhance their cardioprotective effects, and this study provides evidence to suggest these blood-pressure-lowering effects are achievable with simple changes to the daily diet," said lead investigator Professor Aedin Cassidy.
The analysis involved more than 900 participants in Germany.
Previous research has shown flavonoids can improve heart health, but researchers said this was the first time their connection to lower blood pressure has been explained.
The study's results have been published in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.
Latest Stories
-
Wa West MP attends 10th Our Ocean Conference in South Korea
5 minutes -
“If campaign donations mean corruption, then 276 MPs are thieves – including you” – AG to A Plus
6 minutes -
Kelvin Gyimah: Dr Bawumia’s only sin (Article)
12 minutes -
Over 500,000 Ghanaians to benefit from National Apprenticeship Programme
31 minutes -
FA bars transgender women from women’s football
46 minutes -
Safeguard judicial independence, don’t politicise chief justice removal – AJIF warns
58 minutes -
Bawumia visits injured KNUST student at Komfo Anokye Hospital
1 hour -
NPP National Chairman takes temporary break from nationwide ‘Thank You Tour’
1 hour -
Photos: National Apprenticeship Programme launch
1 hour -
Charlotte Osei, Totobi Quakyi and 7 others appointed to Ghana Gas Board
1 hour -
Mahama pledges decent jobs, economic stability as Ghana marks Workers’ Day
2 hours -
From headlines to high finance: Matilda Asante-Asiedu named 2nd deputy governor of Bank of Ghana
2 hours -
Man jailed seven years for defiling minor in Wa
2 hours -
Nigerian artiste Shaiyboy and top producer SB arrive in Ghana
2 hours -
Philadelphia Eagles and IMOTEP embark on third community project in Volta Region
2 hours