High blood pressure: The tiny bean which relaxes blood vessels to help lower hypertension – Express

A high blood pressure diet does not have to entail eating bland foods. Turning to Eastern culture, scientists have discovered a powerful bean which reduces the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) that constricts blood vessels resulting in high blood pressure.

Mung beans are tiny, oval-shaped beans are available in several forms, with the peeled version popular in Indian dishes, and the processed version of bean sprouts and starch noodles more common in Asian cuisine.

In a study published in the journal Human and Experimental Toxicology, scientists discovered that mung beans are highly effective at inhibiting LDL oxidation due to their potent free-radical scavenging properties.

The versatile mung bean has also been shown to target another significant cardiovascular disease risk factor in high blood pressure.

Hypertensive rats supplemented with mung bean sprout extracts for one month experienced significant reductions in systolic blood pressure.

Mung beans have a high concentration of phenols and protein fragments called peptides which help to reduce the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) that constricts blood vessels resulting in high blood pressure.

Recent studies involving 58,000 men and women aged 40-79 found that those with the lowest intakes of dietary magnesium had a 51 percent increased risk of heart disease mortality compared to those with the highest intakes.

Mung beans significantly improve magnesium levels and help to prevent heart attacks and damaging strokes.

Other studies highlight the benefits of mung beans for both hypertension and LDL cholesterol reduction.

Another study reported in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine showed that mung beans suppress the growth of liver and highly aggressive cervical cancer lines.

This was done through multiple mechanisms, including cytotoxicity, inducing anti-cancer cytokines, halting cancer cell cycle, and triggering apoptosis.

These beneficial modes of action might be responsible for mung beans protection against other cancers as well.

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High blood pressure: The tiny bean which relaxes blood vessels to help lower hypertension - Express