Japanese Plum Juice May Benefit Heart Health

Infused Japanese plum juice concentrate may lower the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, according to researchers at Temple University.

The findings, published in the online publication Hypertension Research, support centuries old claims that the juice promotes good health. For that reason, Japanese plum juice is widely consumed in Asia. 

“It is recognized that drugs alone are not enough to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in hypertension patients,” said Satoru Eguchi, MD, PhD, FAHA, Professor at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and senior investigator for the new study. “To help solve this problem, we became interested in a supplement that could potentially decrease cardiovascular disease risk and began investigating the effects of bainiku-ekisu, an infused juice concentrate of the Japanese plum.”

How the Study Worked

The study was conducted on two groups of mice. Both groups were given a hormone that induces high blood pressure. One group was then given water while the other group was given water infused with the juice.

The mice on water showed signs of heart disease. However, the mice who consumed the juice, called bainiku-ekisu in Japan, did not develop hypertension.

The researchers suspect there are multiple compounds in the Japanese plums, called Ume, that protect cells during the breakdown of glucose.

Other Studies

The Temple findings are the third major study published this month on high blood pressure and heart disease.

Researchers at University College London and the Royal Free Hospital discovered three patients diagnosed with heart failure had spontaneously reversed their condition. In addition, a new discovery reported by doctors at Queen Mary University and Barts Hospital, determined the cause and cure of a common form of high blood pressure.

Where to Get Ume

Japanese plum juice is readily available. For instance, you can order it online. However, you can also find it at your local health food store, Asian grocery or even at Walmart.

Know Your Numbers

High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to stroke and heart failure. 

Consequently, heart attack is the leading cause of death in the United States and the rest of the world. However, you can take steps to reduce your risk, according to the National Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

“It’s important for people to know their blood pressure numbers and take steps to reduce high pressure levels, including becoming aware of the many reasons those levels can rise above normal levels,” said Lawrence Fine, M.D., chief of the Clinical Applications and Prevention Branch at NHLBI.  “We urgently need more effective strategies to help people get and keep their levels under control.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are four stages of blood pressure:

• Normal: 120/80
• Elevated: 120-129/80
• Hypertension Stage 1: 130-139/80-89
• Hypertension Stage 2: Over 140/Over 90

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Max Erkiletian

Max K. Erkiletian began writing for newspapers while still in high school. He went on to become an award-winning journalist and co-founder of the print magazine Free Bird. He has written for a wide range of regional and national publications as well as many on-line publications. That has afforded him the opportunity to interview a variety of prominent figures from former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank Paul Volker to Blues musicians Muddy Waters and B. B. King. Max lives in Springfield, MO with his wife Karen and their cat – Pudge. He spends as much time as possible with his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.