The Effect of Fruit Intake on Blood Pressure Reduction in Hypertensive Patients in Paya Bujok Beuramo Village, Indonesia

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the non-communicable diseases that has become a serious health problem today. The high incidence of hypertension often results in death. Watermelon and starfruit are two food sources that are rich in potassium and very good for lowering blood pressure. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of fruit intake on blood pressure reduction using a quasi-experimental research design involving two intervention groups. The study sample consisted of 30 hypertensive patients, where 15 were given watermelon juice and 15 were given starfruit juice. The juice was made from 200 grams of watermelon and starfruit without adding water or sugar. The research was conducted in August in Paya Bujok Beuramo Village, West Langsa District, Indonesia. The results showed that in the Independent t-test, there was an effect of fruit intake (watermelon and starfruit juice) on blood pressure reduction, with a value of p <0.05, and in the Pair t-test there was a reduction in systolic blood pressure with an average decrease of 9.20 ± 6.17 mmHg and diastolic pressure by 5.73 ± 3.35 mmHg in hypertensive patients who were given watermelon juice. Meanwhile, in hypertensive patients who were given starfruit juice, there was a reduction in systolic blood pressure with an average decrease of 4.80 ± 1.94 mmHg and diastolic pressure by 4.07 ± 1.95 mmHg. Watermelon juice was found to be more effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients compared to starfruit juice. Therefore, watermelon juice is expected to be an alternative treatment that can be consumed by hypertensive patient