If your doctor has started giving you “the look” about your blood pressure—or hypertension runs in your family—you’ve probably heard all the usual advice: cut salt, lose weight, exercise, maybe take meds. Useful, yes. Exciting, not so much. That’s where cocona comes in: a bright, tangy Amazonian fruit that’s starting to attract attention for its potential to act a bit like nature’s ACE inhibitor—supporting healthier blood pressure through minerals, antioxidants, and possibly bioactive plant compounds.
Cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum), also known as cubiu in Brazil, looks like a small tomato and tastes like a citrusy mix of tomato and passion fruit. Traditional Amazonian communities have long used it for “blood cleaning,” cholesterol control, and general cardiovascular health. Modern lab work now shows that cocona is unusually rich in potassium, low in sodium, and packed with antioxidant flavonoids and carotenoids that can support blood vessels and lipid metabolism—exactly the kind of profile you want if you care about blood pressure.
Is it literally an ACE inhibitor like lisinopril? No. But there is a growing scientific case for cocona as a legit functional food for cardiometabolic health, and there are plausible mechanisms by which it could complement standard care.
Below is a deep, evidence‑based look at how cocona works, what the science actually says, and how to use it wisely.
Blood Pressure 101: Why ACE and Potassium Matter
High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the top global risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. At a simplified level, three things are especially relevant:
- ACE (angiotensin‑converting enzyme): ACE helps produce angiotensin II, a molecule that constricts your blood vessels and raises blood pressure. ACE‑inhibitor drugs block this enzyme, relaxing vessels and lowering BP.
- Potassium vs sodium: High potassium intake and low sodium intake help relax blood vessels, promote sodium excretion, and improve blood pressure control. That’s one reason fruit- and vegetable‑rich eating patterns like DASH are so effective.
- Oxidative stress and lipids: Chronic oxidative stress and unhealthy lipids damage the endothelium (vessel lining), impair nitric oxide (NO) signaling, and stiffen arteries—all of which raise blood pressure over time.
So when looking at a “blood pressure fruit,” you want to see:
- high potassium / low sodium,
- strong antioxidant profile, and ideally
- bioactive compounds that interact with ACE, NO, or vascular tone.
Cocona checks at least the first two boxes very clearly—and may support the third indirectly through flavonoids and carotenoids.
Cocona’s Nutritional Edge: A Potassium Bomb with Almost No Sodium
A 2021 analysis looked at five Peruvian ecotypes of cocona and measured their macronutrients and minerals. The highlights:
- Very high potassium: 571–2382 mg K per 100 g of fresh pulp, depending on ecotype.
- Very low sodium: only 3.25–6.87 mg Na per 100 g.
- Notable fiber and low fat: crude fiber ranged up to about 5% fresh weight in some ecotypes, with lipids under 1%.
- Useful iron, magnesium, calcium, and trace minerals (Fe up to 71 mg/100 g, Ca up to 70 mg/100 g, Mg up to ~165 mg/100 g in some samples).
A separate characterization study confirmed that cocona is:
- high in carotenoids, especially in the pulp
- rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron
- low in total calories and fat
Peru’s official tourism/food portal describes cocona as a “powerful fruit” rich in carbohydrates, iron, vitamin C, B‑vitamins, calcium, carotene, and phosphorus, and notes its traditional use to “control cholesterol” and support blood health. Other overviews emphasize its iron, B5, and “blood pressure support” in folk medicine.
Why that matters for BP:
- High potassium intake is consistently linked to lower blood pressure, improved vascular function, and reduced stroke risk, especially when sodium is kept low.
- Cocona gives you an unusually favorable K:Na ratio in a whole food form, which is exactly what most Western diets lack.
So even before getting into fancy bioactive compounds, cocona offers a mineral profile that supports healthier blood pressure in a very straightforward way.
Antioxidant and Anti‑Lipid Effects Of Cocona: Protecting Arteries from the Inside
Beyond minerals, cocona has been studied for its antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic properties.
A 2015 study evaluated the antioxidant capacity of Solanum sessiliflorum (cocona/cubiu) extracts and found:
- Cocona extracts showed significant antioxidant activity in multiple test systems.
- Phytochemical screening revealed phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and related antioxidants with “great biological relevance.”
In 2021, researchers examined five cocona ecotypes for nutritional, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic capacities:
- All ecotypes had relevant levels of polyphenols and carotenoids, with robust antioxidant capacity.
- When cocona pulp was tested in an animal model of dyslipidemia, it showed antihyperlipidemic activity, helping improve blood lipid profiles.
While this study focused on lipids rather than blood pressure directly, the link is clear:
- Lower LDL and better lipid profiles reduce atherosclerotic plaque and arterial stiffness.
- Antioxidants help preserve nitric oxide (NO), a key vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels, and reduce oxidative damage to the endothelium.
In other words, cocona looks like a vascular‑protective fruit: it supports better lipids, reduces oxidative stress, and delivers minerals that favor healthier vessel function.
“Nature’s ACE Inhibitor”? What We Can and Can’t Say
To be precise: there is no direct published human trial showing cocona fruits acting as ACE inhibitors the way cocoa flavanols, dark chocolate, or certain medicinal extracts do. However, there are two important lines of evidence that make the nickname “nature’s ACE inhibitor” at least plausible in principle.
1. Plant Flavonoids Can Inhibit ACE
A 2011 review on plant flavonoids and ACE found that many flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, luteolin, etc.) can inhibit ACE activity in vitro, and that the degree of inhibition depends on their sugar attachments and structure. These flavonoids are widespread in fruits and vegetables.
- Cocona is rich in flavonoids and related polyphenols, as shown in antioxidant capacity studies.
- While cocona itself hasn’t been specifically tested for ACE inhibition, it belongs to a family of fruits (including other Solanaceae) known to contain bioactive polyphenols.
If its flavonoid profile behaves like other fruits’, cocona may exert mild, food‑level ACE‑modulating effects that complement its mineral and antioxidant benefits.
2. Functional Foods and ACE: Cocoa as a Model
Look at how cocoa went from “treat” to “functional food”:
- Meta‑analyses of cocoa‑rich products show a small but significant reduction in systolic BP (~1.8 mmHg) and diastolic BP (~1.2 mmHg) in trials lasting 2–18 weeks.
- Mechanistically, cocoa flavanols have been shown to inhibit ACE activity and improve nitric oxide availability, improving vascular relaxation.
Similarly, fruit extracts like those from Acanthopanax sessiliflorus have demonstrated ACE inhibition, enhanced endothelial NO, and significant blood pressure reductions in hypertensive rats. That extract is now explored as a possible antihypertensive functional ingredient.
Cocona has not yet gone through this full pipeline. But given:
- its high potassium/low sodium
- its flavonoid and carotenoid richness
- its antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects
…it is reasonable to describe cocona as a cardiometabolic functional fruit whose mechanisms likely touch the same pathways—ACE, NO, oxidative stress—that ACE‑inhibitor drugs and other functional foods target.
Just remember: this is adjunctive, not substitutional. Cocona is not a medicine, and no one should stop prescribed ACE inhibitors in favor of fruit without medical supervision.
How Cocona Might Support Blood Pressure in Real Life
Bringing it together, cocona can support blood pressure from multiple angles:
- Mineral-based support
- Very high potassium and low sodium directly favor lower BP by promoting vasodilation and natriuresis (sodium excretion).
- Antioxidant and lipid protection
- Polyphenols and carotenoids reduce oxidative stress, protect endothelium, and improve lipid profiles, indirectly reducing arterial stiffness and improving BP regulation.
- Possible ACE‑modulating and NO‑supporting effects
- While not yet directly proven, cocona’s flavonoid content places it in the same general category of plant foods where ACE inhibition and endothelial benefits have been observed (as with cocoa and other flavonoid‑rich extracts).
- Low calorie, low fat, and low sugar
- Cocona is low in total calories and fat, with modest carbs and good fiber, making it easy to incorporate into weight‑management diets—weight control being a major lever for BP.
Combined with overall lifestyle changes, cocona is well‑positioned as a supportive fruit for blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
How to Use Cocona Safely and Effectively
If you’re lucky enough to find fresh cocona (often in Amazonian regions or specialty Latin markets), or if you have access to pulp, juice, or powders, here are practical ways to integrate it.
Fresh Fruit and Pulp
- Juices and smoothies: In the Amazon, cocona juice is common—blended with water and a bit of sweetener. For BP‑friendly use, blend cocona pulp with water, ice, and maybe a little stevia or another low‑GI sweetener.
- Salsas and sauces: Its tomato‑like acidity works well in salsas with onions, cilantro, garlic, and a bit of chili, making a heart‑healthy topping for fish or beans.
- Side dishes: Puree cocona with a bit of lime and herbs as a tangy side or dressing.
Because the mineral and antioxidant content are in the pulp, whole‑fruit uses are preferred over heavily filtered juices.
Processed Forms (Jams, Candies, etc.)
Many commercial cocona products (jams, candies, sweetened drinks) add a lot of sugar. These:
- may negate some BP benefits by increasing sugar load and calories
- are better seen as occasional treats, not therapeutic foods
Look for unsweetened or lightly sweetened cocona pulp/puree if you’re focusing on blood pressure.
How Much Cocona Should One Take?
There are no official dosing guidelines, but as a whole food:
- 50–100 g fresh pulp (about ½–1 small fruit, depending on size) a day is a reasonable starting point.
- More is fine as part of a mixed fruit/veg pattern, provided you account for total carbs if you have diabetes.
Always keep it within the context of an overall healthy eating pattern (think Mediterranean or plant‑rich, DASH‑style) rather than relying on cocona alone.
Who Should Be Cautious When Taking Cocona?
Even natural, potassium‑rich fruits are not for everyone in unlimited quantities:
- People with chronic kidney disease or on certain BP meds (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium‑sparing diuretics) may need to monitor potassium intake to avoid hyperkalemia. Cocona’s high K content is a plus for some and a risk for others.
- People on strict low‑oxalate or low‑potassium diets should discuss cocona with their doctor or dietitian before making it a daily habit.
And again: do not stop prescribed blood pressure medications hoping cocona will replace them. Think “additive support,” not “alternative cure.”
How Cocona Fits into a Blood‑Pressure‑Friendly Eating Pattern
Cocona makes the most sense as part of a broader strategy:
- Increase potassium‑rich, low‑sodium plant foods: cocona, bananas (in moderation), leafy greens, beans, lentils, squash, tomatoes (if tolerated).
- Emphasize antioxidant‑rich fruits and veggies: berries, citrus, pomegranate, red and orange vegetables, plus cocona for a tropical twist.
- Control sodium overall: be mindful of processed foods, sauces, and restaurant meals. Cocona’s low sodium is helpful, but it can’t cancel a very salty diet.
- Maintain healthy weight, move regularly, limit alcohol, and manage stress, all of which affect BP more than any single fruit.
Within that context, cocona is like a nutritional upgrade: you’re getting potassium, fiber, antioxidants, and potential vascular support in every tangy bite.
Bottom Line: A Promising Amazonian Ally, Not a Magic Pill
Calling cocona “nature’s ACE inhibitor” is catchy, but the current science supports a slightly more grounded statement:
- Cocona is an Amazonian fruit with a uniquely BP‑friendly nutrient profile: high potassium, very low sodium, decent fiber, and rich antioxidant content.
- It shows antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects in experimental models, both of which are important for vascular health and long‑term blood pressure control.
- Its flavonoids and carotenoids put it in the broader class of plant foods that may modulate ACE activity and support endothelial function, similar in spirit (though not yet in proof) to cocoa and other functional ingredients.
So if you’re looking to upgrade your blood‑pressure strategy beyond salt shakers and prescriptions, cocona is a smart, tasty way to bring the Amazon’s cardiometabolic wisdom onto your plate. Use it as a regular part of a plant‑rich, low‑sodium diet, keep working with your healthcare team, and let this “jungle tomato” be one more ally nudging your numbers—and your arteries—in the right direction.
