Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide.  This explains why so much time, money and efforts are being put in so that proper means of prevention, management and treatment are made readily available.

Our heart is one of the most important vital organs of the body. It pumps blood that carries oxygen as well as the nutrients of the food we eat to all parts of our body which, in turn, helps the system to function well. For example, the brain needs oxygen and glucose to function normally, and if the heart’s pumping action is compromised, blood that carries these nutrients will not be able to sufficiently reach the brain causing dizziness, fainting spells, coma, or worse, death. Other important functions of the heart are as follows:

• It also helps remove waste products that, if left to accumulate, will become toxic to the body.
• It carries a lot of nutrients that our body needs. The muscles need glucose, oxygen and amino acids in order to contract normally.
• It helps with the secretion of numerous hormones via the glands.

With these, the state of the heart exerts a great effect in the over-all performance of the body. The heart, therefore, needs great care and attention. It must not be taken for granted, otherwise, the development of mild or severe cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure, angina and stroke will ensue.

Studies on the effects of orange juice to heart health

A research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recommends that daily consumption of orange juice may considerably reduce diastolic blood pressure in men who are healthy yet slightly overweight.

Christine Morand, from the French National Institute for Agronomic Research, said that the intake of orange juice by healthy subjects resulted to positive changes in endothelial function and blood pressure and that the observed effects could be due to the presence of the flavanone hesperidin in orange juice.

Intake of orange juice, or a drink rich in hesperidin, after 4 weeks significantly lowered a person’s blood pressure, according to the researchers. When hesperidin’s peak plasma concentration was measured, the post-meal reactivity of the blood vessels was improved by both the hesperidin drink and the orange juice. The researchers concluded in the study that the beneficial effect of drinking orange juice is due to hesperidin. Morand and her colleagues added that consumption of citrus fruits is interestingly recommended due to the outcome of the results since citrus fruits are dietary sources of flavanones.

Morand and her colleagues added that evidences support their results because of the numerous studies that were conducted in animal models, with isolated flavonoids of nutritionally sensible levels and foods rich in flavonoids to humans. They also noted a number of studies which showed the protective effect of foods rich in polyphenol which included wine, chocolate and tea against cardiovascular diseases and its risk factors like blood pressure, LDL levels and functioning of the blood vessel. A strong focus is being directed towards flavanones since it can be easily found on citrus fruits, coupled with the high consumption of citrus fruits. Hesperidin makes up 90% of the flavanones found in orange juice.

Benefits of Orange Juice

Orange juice may be a permanent fixture on top of your breakfast table.  It is not only a delicious drink, but a healthy drink as well. There are many juices out there that are considered very beneficial for a healthy lifestyle, and orange juice seems to stand out from the rest, maybe because of its accessibility, availability and known health benefits.

These are just some benefits you can get from orange juice consumption:

• Citrus fruits are widely known to contain large amounts of vitamin C that is very helpful in boosting the immune system.
• It can help in the prevention of certain forms of cancer like breast and prostate cancer because of its antioxidant properties.
• It can help lower blood and cholesterol levels.
• It can help improve the circulation of the blood, and heart diseases can be avoided.
• The folate that is contained in orange juice plays a major role in the production of new cells and helps with the healing processes of the body.
• An essential nutrient of the body, potassium, can be found in orange juice.
• People who experience arthritis-related pain can be relieved by the intake of orange juice. Research has proven that it contains anti-inflammatory properties.

Although orange juice presents numerous health benefits for the body, certain precautionary measures should be put in mind regarding orange juice consumption. The main problem here lies with the sugar content of the orange juice. If taking labeled or packed orange juice, be sure to check the sugar content since they are fairly high in calories. Since hesperidin is the primary flavonoid found in oranges, fresh raw orange juices are recommended in order to get the full benefits of the nutrients in orange juice.

Ways to promote Heart health

To avoid the development of cardiovascular diseases, these natural ways to promote a healthy heart should be kept in mind:

• Avoid any form of smoking or tobacco – any amount of tobacco is never good for the heart. It will just trigger heart related diseases and eventually lead to heart attack or stroke.
• Get Active – Participating in regular vigorous activities can reduce risk of heart disease. As you become active, the heart starts to work more. Doing this regularly will help strengthen the heart and will make you less prone to heart diseases.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet – Taking foods that are good for the heart like those that are low in fat, cholesterol and salt, as well as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can help reduce risk of heart disease.
• Regularly check your blood and cholesterol levels.
• Manage stress levels.

While cardiovascular diseases remain to be one of the top killers in the world, it is important that we all know how to maintain and keep our heart healthy and strong.

Sources
nutraingredients.com
hairstylescut.com
worldinvisible.com
mayoclinic.com