My choice as a salad has always been the lemon ROKA (Scientific name: Eruca sativa) salad. In fact, I think it would be unfair to describe arugula simply as a flavor that is enjoyed. As a matter of fact, the opinion that arugula can be useful in the treatment of various diseases is common in some societies. For example, in Pakistan, arugula is defined as a source of healing that is widely used in the treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes; arugula leaves are used fresh directly or by cooking to lower high blood pressure. The anticoagulant effect observed in a study also supports its effectiveness in this regard. In a newly published study, the effect and mode of action of arugula in the treatment of high blood pressure was examined in detail on experimental animals.
Rats with normal blood pressure levels were divided into two groups, and animals in one group were fed a high salt diet and their blood pressure was increased. Then, arugula extract was applied to both groups. As a result of the application, a decrease of up to 42 percent in blood pressure was observed in normal animals, while a decrease of up to 59 percent was achieved in high blood pressure patients. Afterwards, the mode of action was analyzed with detailed studies. It is suggested that the high blood pressure lowering effect of arugula is due to its vasodilating and partially its effect on heart functions, and that these effects may be related to the quercetin (flavonoid) and erucine (isothiocyanate) in it. For those wondering about the mode of action, a dual effect on nitric oxide release and calcium influx and release associated with muscarinic receptors has been identified.
High blood pressure is one of the most important and common diseases worldwide. It is among the main factors of health problems such as coronary vessels, cerebral vessels and kidney diseases that negatively affect the quality of life of people and have high vital risks. In this respect, we all need to include arugula more in our daily diet, whether we have high blood pressure or not. Arugula will be an excellent choice in applications for the treatment of high blood pressure before drug treatment.
Arugula can play an important role not only in the treatment of high blood pressure, but also in the protection of our health, as it has a rich glucoraphanin content, as it is from the same family as broccoli and radish.
