Avoid THIS Common Drink If You’re Taking Statins or Blood Pressure Medication, Warns Pharmacist

A pharmacist has issued a stark warning on the potential dangers of mixing common medications with a particular fruit juice. According to Ian Budd, a UK-based prescribing pharmacist, statins, blood pressure

tablets, and antidepressants could all be impacted by grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice is packed with vitamin C and offers benefits like boosting your immunity, supporting skin health through collagen production and protection from damage, and promoting hydration due to its high-water content. However, according to Budd, consuming the juice along with these medications could render the drugs less effective or, even in some instances, heighten the risk of side effects. “Grapefruit and grapefruit juice are one of the most common causes of food and medicine interactions,” Budd told Surrey Live.

Why is grapefruit juice not advised for those with high blood pressure?

According to experts, grapefruit juice contains natural chemicals that block an enzyme in your liver, which helps break down certain medicines. “When that happens, your body cannot process the drug as it normally would, so more of it stays in your system. That can make side effects stronger or more likely,” he added. Chemicals in grapefruit juice inhibit an enzyme known as CYP3A4, responsible for breaking down the medication, according to the Food and Drug Administration. And so, it is important to speak with your doctor before consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice if you take blood pressure medication, as some drugs are more affected than others, and the effects can last for up to 24 hours. While statins are primarily for high cholesterol, data show a significant overlap in users with those who have high blood pressure. Across the world, over 200 million people take statins, and in the US, over 92 million adults use them. Studies indicate that about 74.9 per cent of those taking statins also take blood pressure medication, though it's important to note that statins are not a primary treatment for blood pressure.

Side effects caused by grapefruit juice and statins

Combining grapefruit with certain blood pressure medications leads to:

• Dangerously low blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Headaches
• Flushing

Ways to control blood pressure naturally

Controlling blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle might prevent, delay, or lessen the need for medicine. Here are a few lifestyle changes that help lower blood pressure and keep it down.

Lose extra weight

Blood pressure increases as weight increases. Being overweight causes disrupted breathing while you sleep, leading to sleep apnea, which further raises blood pressure. Weight loss is one of the best ways to control blood pressure. If you're overweight or have obesity, losing even a small amount of weight can help lower blood pressure.

Exercise

Regular aerobic exercise lowers high blood pressure by about 5 to 8 mm Hg. It is important to exercise to keep blood pressure from rising again. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.

Eat healthy

Eating a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and low in saturated fat and cholesterol can lower high blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg.

Reduce sodium

Even a little less sodium in the diet can improve heart health and blood pressure. Sodium's effect on blood pressure varies among groups of people. In general, limit sodium to 2,300 mg a day or less. But for most adults, it's ideal to limit sodium to 1,500 mg a day or less.