Can pineapple lower blood pressure?
The fruit of the pineapple plant is a low-calorie source of vitamins and a popular way to add variety to our meals. Although its now usually available year-round, fresh pineapple is mainly in season from spring through summer.
Its often listed as a fruit that lowers blood pressure. But is that really true? We took a closer look.
This is meant to prevent blood clots from forming in people who have already had a stroke or heart attack, or who have an increased risk for those events, since a clot blocking a vessel can trigger such an event.
But what does that have to do with blood pressure? In short: nothing. Its true that high blood pressure is a risk factor for the conditions mentioned above, but aspirin is not a blood-pressure-lowering drug. On the German Heart Foundations website, high blood pressure is even listed as a contraindication for giving this medication.
One study that looked at pineapples effects searched for a plant-based action comparable to ACE inhibitors. Specifically, researchers tested the ACE-inhibiting activity of pineapple extract on lung homogenate in the lab. They found a dose-dependent effect of the pineapple extract. As already noted, this study was limited to laboratory tests only.
Another study from 2021 investigated whether fruit-infused water affects blood pressure and blood sugar in people with MS. In addition to pineapple, apple, cucumber, and strawberry were added to the water. It was thought that the antioxidants and potassium in the fruits might have an effect. Unfortunately, this small study (only 24 participants) found no evidence of such an effect.
Although pineapple has not yet been shown to lower blood pressure in humans, it is still a healthy and tasty fruit that can be a low-calorie addition to a balanced diet. Fresh pineapple should be preferred over the canned variety, as canned pineapple has significantly less vitamin content and often has added sugar.
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This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 01/2026).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
