Introduction

A person is said to have a condition known as hypertension when their blood pressure is consistently higher than what is considered normal. It is characterized by high blood pressure, which is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and/or systolic over diastolic (systolic BP > diastolic BP). Hypertension may be treated with medication or can be managed through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.

A study was done on avocado leaves in Indonesia which were published in The Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion in May 2022. The researchers boiled avocado leaves and studied their effects to lower blood pressure in the elderly with hypertension. The use of avocado leaves as an herbal remedy for hypertension has been studied in various research studies earlier and it has shown some positive results. In this study, it was found that there was a significant decrease in blood pressure after taking avocado leaf tea for four weeks.

Avocado Leaf Boiled Water and Hypertension: A Study

The avocado leaf is a well-known plant that is used as a treatment for hypertension in many different parts of the world. It is rich in biologically active compounds like flavonoids and quercetin.

This study was conducted in the working area of the Tilango Health Center to determine the effect of giving boiled water of avocado leaves on reducing blood pressure in the elderly with hypertension. (1)

The elderly are more susceptible to hypertension than younger people. This is because they have higher blood pressure levels, are less likely to be aware of their condition, and may not be as responsive to treatment.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the ingestion of avocado leaf water would affect blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension. The researchers hypothesized that, by drinking avocado leaf water, the subjects' blood pressure would decrease significantly.

The researchers used a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design, with 130 participants aged 65 years old and above who were diagnosed with hypertension at Tilango Health Center using purposive sampling. A total of 65 participants each were randomly assigned into two groups; Group 1 received boiled water infused with avocado leaves while Group 2 received boiled water only without avocado leaves infusion.

The participants were given two weeks' worth of boiled avocado leaf water to drink, and their blood pressure was measured at both points in time. The data revealed a statistically significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure for all subjects who drank avocado leaf water.

The researchers conclude that ingestion of boiled water from avocado leaves is an effective way to reduce blood pressure in elderly hypertensives.

Results of the Study

According to the results of this study, treating older people with hypertension by giving them water infused with avocado leaves can significantly lower blood pressure. The participant's blood pressure decreased significantly after they consumed water boiled with avocado leaves, indicating that drinking boiled water with avocado leaves can help lower blood pressure in the elderly.

Q & A - All things avocado

How do avocados contribute to lowering cholesterol and triglycerides?

Research has consistently demonstrated that incorporating avocados into your diet can be beneficial for heart health. These fruits help reduce total cholesterol levels and decrease triglycerides in the blood. Additionally, avocados are known to elevate levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), commonly referred to as 'good' cholesterol, which further protects against heart-related ailments.

What are the heart benefits of consuming avocados?

Avocados are highly beneficial for heart health due to their content of healthy fats and other important nutrients. These fruits are a rich source of monounsaturated fats, which help to enhance good cholesterol (HDL) while lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride levels, reducing the risk of heart disease. Avocados also surpass bananas in their potassium content, a mineral essential for blood pressure regulation. Their high fiber content aids in managing weight and stabilizing blood sugar levels, further contributing to cardiovascular health. By integrating avocados into a healthy diet, one can mitigate the risk factors associated with heart disease, such as high blood pressure and inflammatory markers, thus guarding against heart attacks and strokes.

How do avocados compare to bananas in terms of potassium content?

Avocados contain more potassium than bananas, which is significant as potassium is key in managing blood pressure effectively.

What are the general cardiovascular benefits of eating avocados?

Avocados support cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and promoting heart health, which helps in preventing heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. They are also recommended in diets focused on cardiovascular health, such as the DASH Diet.

How can avocados help in weight management and blood sugar control?

The high fiber content in avocados helps in controlling appetite and maintaining stable blood sugar levels, which are crucial for weight management and preventing spikes in blood sugar.

What nutrients in avocados contribute to their health benefits?

Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, potassium, fiber, and vitamins A and C. Monounsaturated fats improve cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation, potassium aids in blood pressure control, fiber assists with weight and blood sugar management, and vitamins A and C are beneficial for skin health.

How do avocados affect cholesterol levels?

Avocados are beneficial for cholesterol management as they help to decrease total cholesterol levels, boost the levels of good cholesterol (HDL), and reduce blood triglycerides.

Avocados & Avocado Leaf

Avocados are highly esteemed not only for their rich taste but also for their significant health benefits, particularly in reducing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. The fruit itself contains monounsaturated fats, which are known to improve cholesterol levels by increasing HDL (good cholesterol) and reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. Moreover, avocados are rich in potassium, surpassing even bananas in this regard, which helps in managing blood pressure effectively. The high fiber content in avocados assists in controlling blood sugar levels and supports weight management, which is crucial for overall cardiovascular health. Additionally, the presence of vitamins A and C in avocados enhances skin health, which is a bonus benefit.

Alongside the benefits of the avocado fruit, a study was done on avocado leaves in Indonesia which were published in The Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion in May 2022. The researchers boiled avocado leaves and studied their effects to lower blood pressure in the elderly with hypertension. The use of avocado leaves as an herbal remedy for hypertension has been studied in various research studies earlier and it has shown some positive results. In this study, it was found that there was a significant decrease in blood pressure after taking avocado leaf tea for four weeks.

Both the fruit and the leaves of the avocado plant offer beneficial properties for health, particularly in promoting heart health and preventing cardiovascular diseases. This dual approach—utilizing both the fruit and the leaves—provides a comprehensive method to harness the health potentials of avocados in combating high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.