Bananas would be a much cheaper alternative, even if it might be difficult to get a precise dose of the active compounds. Writing in the journal Current Science, the Indian scientists report finding ACE-inhibiting properties in six varieties of banana. Ripe fruit, fortunately, have a greater effect than unripe ones. The India study confirms earlier American research which suggested that potassium-rich foods such as banana help reduce blood pressure. Scientists at the Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. believe potassium facilitates the removal of sodium, thereby lowering pressure.
Salt causes water retention in the body, and, in turn, higher pressure.
At the time, researchers estimated that patients had to take in 2,300 mg of potassium each day to bring blood pressure down by half as much as drug therapy would. That's at least five bananas. It may not seem much, but, consumed on a daily basis, it is likely to acquire all the allure of congealed congee. Which is why the Indian finding should be especially welcome news for hypertension patients. Tastebuds don't shrivel up just because the wallet has.