The most common chronic condition in France, hypertension affects nearly one in three adults . A significant public health concern nationwide, high blood pressure can be triggered by various factors such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, and stress. Additionally, some suggest that turmeric, often praised as a miracle spice, might contribute to hypertension.
So, is turmeric truly harmful, or does it actually help in managing high blood pressure effectively? Find out in this article.
What is blood pressure, exactly?
Blood pressure, also known as arterial pressure, refers to the force exerted by blood as it circulates through the blood vessels. The heart, a hollow muscular organ essential for human health, maintains this circulation by pumping blood. As blood travels continuously through the arteries, it applies varying levels of pressure on the arterial walls. Measuring this pressure helps assess the force and volume of blood pumped by the heart. Every day, the heart pumps approximately 8,000 liters of blood.
Globally, blood pressure is measured in Pascals (Pa). However, it is more commonly expressed in centimeters of mercury (cmHg) or millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Typically, blood pressure is measured using the brachial artery located in the arm. Two values are used to interpret an individual’s blood pressure:
- Systolic pressure (SBP): the pressure in the artery when the heart contracts. This "maximum" pressure should remain below 140 mmHg; otherwise, it is classified as hypertension.
- Diastolic pressure (DBP): the pressure in the artery when the heart relaxes. This "minimum" pressure should stay below 90 mmHg; otherwise, it is considered hypertension.
Blood pressure is considered normal when it is below 145/90 mmHg and above 100/70 mmHg. As people age, their blood pressure tends to increase due to loss of arterial elasticity. Interestingly, on average, men have higher blood pressure than women, but this trend reverses after menopause, the end of a woman's reproductive period.
The Causes of High or Low Blood Pressure
The causes of hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (low blood pressure) are varied and rarely have a single direct origin. They are influenced by numerous factors, some of which can be controlled, while others cannot.
In most cases, the causes of hypertension are linked to lifestyle habits. An unhealthy lifestyle, characterized by an imbalanced diet (excessive salt intake), lack of physical activity, abnormal weight, or poor sleep quality, inevitably leads to hypertension. Additionally, frequent consumption of alcohol or tobacco increases blood pressure and accelerates the wear and tear of the heart and arteries.
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can affect individuals of any age, though it is more commonly observed in older adults. It is often caused by dehydration, shock, or certain medications (used to treat high blood pressure, angina, Parkinson’s disease, or depression). Medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, Addison’s disease, hypoglycemia, neurological issues, or heart conditions can also trigger hypotension.
However, it is essential to note that apart from these harmful factors, blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day, influenced by various elements:
- Body position
- Breathing patterns
- Stress levels
- Physical condition
- Medications taken
- Diet
- And more
Regardless of the individual, their age, or their health status, blood pressure undergoes daily variations. For instance, it tends to be higher after waking up and lower at night during sleep.
What Are the Effects of Hypertension or Hypotension?
Hypertension can lead to severe consequences for the human body, including angina, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and damage to vision and kidneys. Worldwide, hypertension is responsible for 51% of strokes (CVA).
In contrast, hypotension, the "twin opposite" of hypertension, is generally not highly dangerous for the body. However, it can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, visual disturbances, fainting, and related falls.
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Does Turmeric Increase Blood Pressure?
A powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, turmeric has been used since ancient times to promote human health. Despite its long history of benefits, turmeric's reputation has occasionally been challenged by various claims and anecdotes. Today, its virtues, especially those of its active compound curcumin, are well-established. However, some still suspect that turmeric might contribute to hypertension.
Firstly, it's important to note that consuming turmeric itself poses no issue for the human body or blood pressure. Issues may arise only with overconsumption, overdosing, or improper use of turmeric.
Scientific evidence highlights the benefits of proper turmeric consumption for managing blood pressure. For example, a 2012 Japanese study investigated whether curcumin supplementation combined with physical exercise improves vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal women. As previously mentioned, blood pressure in women tends to rise after the age of 50-60, exceeding that of men. The study involved 32 healthy, sedentary postmenopausal women divided into three groups: a control group, a curcumin group (150 mg/day), and a physical exercise group (moderate aerobic exercises three times weekly), for 8 weeks.
The study concluded that both curcumin and regular physical activity enhance age-related declines in endothelial function (the barrier between blood and tissues). In simpler terms, both curcumin and exercise positively impact hypertension by supporting vascular health and preventing dysfunctions linked to endothelial issues.
Additionally, other analyses have explored "The effect of curcumin/turmeric on blood pressure modulation." A meta-analysis combining 11 studies with 734 participants suggested that curcumin or turmeric consumption can improve systolic blood pressure (SBP) when taken over extended periods.
Regarding potential adverse effects, a study led by Xin Fang Leong demonstrated that turmeric, used traditionally for various ailments, causes no harm when consumed in normal, controlled doses. However, excessive intake might lead to mild side effects such as dry mouth, flatulence, or heartburn, which are generally harmless. Rarely, overconsumption could cause nausea or vomiting.
In summary, studies over the years have demonstrated that turmeric does not raise blood pressure nor pose a risk to human health. On the contrary, turmeric may lower systolic blood pressure, reduce oxidative stress, and improve vascular remodeling. Its antioxidant properties may even restore endothelial balance, significantly reducing the risk of hypertension.
Natural Solutions to Lower Blood Pressure
Beyond turmeric, there are other natural ways to reduce blood pressure. These methods, diverse and varied, mainly revolve around lifestyle habits:
- Favoring specific foods (nuts, grains, fruits, and vegetables…)
- Avoiding certain foods (salted butter, cheese, cured meats, oysters, snack biscuits…)
- Managing stress
- Refraining from smoking
- Engaging in physical activity
- Monitoring blood sugar and cholesterol levels
- Getting sufficient sleep
- And more.
In addition to turmeric, more specifically organic curcumin, there are also natural dietary supplements that can help the body regulate blood pressure. For instance, Solesterol, made with black garlic and olive leaf extract or Solquinol (reduced Coenzyme Q10 and vitamins) are viable options for supporting blood pressure and overall health.
References :
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20355465#:~:text=Orthostatic%20hypotension%20can%20occur%20for,veins%20and%20certain%20neurological%20disorders
- Mayo Clinic Staff - Low blood pressure (hypotension) - 22 sept 2020 - Mayo Clinic.
- https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/soins-et-maladies/maladies/maladies-cardiovasculaires/article/maladies-cardiovasculaires
- Amir Hadi, Makan Pourmasoumi, Ehsan Ghaedi, Amirhossein Sahebkar - The effect of Curcumin/Turmeric on blood pressure modulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis - Pharmacol Res 2019 Dec ; 150:104505.
- Akazawa N, Choi Y, Miyaki A, Tanabe Y, Sugawara J, Ajisaka R, Maeda S - La consommation de curcumine et l’entraînement physique améliorent la fonction endothéliale vasculaire chez des femmes post-ménopausées - Nutr Res - octobre 2012 ; 32(10):795-799.
- https://ressourcessante.salutbonjour.ca/condition/getcondition/pression-arterielle-basse
- https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/parties-corps/Fiche.aspx?doc=endotheliale-dysfonction-endotheliale
- Dr Eleni Rapsomaniki, Prof Adam Timmis, Julie George, Mar Pujades-Rodriguez, Anoop D Shah, Spiros Denaxas
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- Paul K. Whelton, Robert M. Carey, Wilbert S. Aronow, Donald E. CaseyJr, Karen J. Collins, Cheryl Dennison Himmelfarb, Sondra M. DePalma, Samuel Gidding, Kenneth A. Jamerson… - ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines - Hypertension - 2018 ; 71:1269–1324
- https://divinitynutra.com/health/turmeric-blood-pressure/