Dear LPG

I suppose that I have always been fairly fit.  I can’t say that I have done all the exercise that I should have done or eaten all the right foods over the years, but when I compare my lifestyle choices to those of my friends and ex work colleagues, I do think that I could have  done worse. 

So a couple of years ago I found myself at a community health day where a few tests were on offer.  I was not too mad about having my blood checked because I have always avoided needles as much as I could, but I was offered a blood pressure check and thought that could not do any harm.

The nurse that did the test told me that I needed to see a doctor and that my blood pressure was sufficiently high to warrant a degree of investigation.

Since then I have been on daily blood pressure tablets and, after two years, I just pop one in my mouth every morning and get on with my life, but I am open to anything that might make my health a little better.

I recently found some information on line about the health benefits of taking a daily dose of beetroot juice for sufferers of high blood pressure.  Apparently this is one of those old wives tails that people used centuries ago although quite a lot of scientific research has been done to back up the claims in recent years. But, as with most things that are good for you, there are a few side effects.

One other thing is true, if my friends can be thought of as a reasonable sample of average elders, and that is that most people would not rate beetroot juice very highly on their favourite drinks list, so it is fortunate that one can get the required dose from capsules that can be bought in many high street shops.

I would not say that it is a case of ‘go buy, go eat’ but perhaps it is a possible bit of small talk to end your next GP consultation appointment with.

KR, Maze Hill

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