Hypertension, sometimes known as the “silent killer,” can put you at risk for significant health problems including stroke and heart attack, but it’s readily avoidable. There are a variety of blood pressure drugs available, but they are ineffective unless you change your lifestyle. Eating the correct foods in the proper amounts, especially those high in potassium and magnesium, can help you control your blood pressure both immediately and over time.
In today’s article, we’ll discuss several nutritious foods that might help you manage your blood pressure. Berries, citrus fruits, spinach, and other fruits and vegetables are all good sources of antioxidants. To learn more, keep reading till the end.
Spinach
Spinach is low in calories, high in fiber, and contains heart-healthy minerals including potassium, folate, and magnesium. Natural nitrates are abundant in spinach. All of these characteristics make spinach an excellent choice for lowering blood pressure. It works by removing excess sodium from the body and relaxing blood vessels, allowing for a smooth flow of blood. To get the most out of spinach, add it to smoothies or prepare spinach juice.
Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit, are strong in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamin C, all of which help to maintain the heart healthy and regulate blood pressure. According to one study, consuming two glasses of orange juice every day can dramatically lower high blood pressure.
Pistachios
Pistachios have 3 grams of fiber per ounce, and their fiber profile makes them useful for lowering high blood pressure. To acquire benefits connected to hypertension, eat unsalted pistachios and don’t eat more than 1 ounce each day.
Carrots
Consuming this sweet and crunchy vegetable on a daily basis will significantly lower your blood pressure. Carrots contain phenolic chemicals that decrease inflammation and relax blood vessels. They can be eaten raw or cooked, although the benefits of eating them raw are greater. Carrot juice is also an excellent choice.
Tomatoes and tomato juice
Antioxidants and minerals like lycopene, beta carotene, vitamin E, and potassium are abundant in tomatoes. All of these nutrients aid in the reduction of blood pressure. One study found that those who drank unsalted tomato juice for a week saw a significant reduction in hypertension. While tomatoes and unsalted tomato juice are excellent for blood pressure, many tomato products, such as sauces, include a lot of sodium, which can raise blood pressure.
Greek yogurt and skim milk
They are a good source of calcium and potassium, as well as magnesium and potassium. These nutrients, when taken combined, can assist to reduce blood pressure. According to a study of US adults, higher intakes of skimmed milk and yogurt are linked to a lower annual risk of high blood pressure. According to another study, women who consume five or more servings of Greek yogurt each week reduce their chance of having high blood pressure by 20%.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is made from cocoa beans that have been harvested from the cocoa plant. The flavanols in cocoa are the active components. Angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE for short, is inhibited by flavonols, which help to lower blood pressure. ACE causes blood arteries to tighten and shrink, raising blood pressure. When purchasing dark chocolate, make sure you read the label to see what it should include.
Celery
Phosphatides, a phytochemical found in celery, aid to relax blood vessels, resulting in smooth blood flow. It can be eaten raw or cooked in both forms. Increase the nutritious value of your smoothies, soups, or drinks by adding celery. It’s also a good alternative to baking or steaming them.
Swiss chard
Swiss chard has a high potassium and magnesium content. These minerals play a crucial part in maintaining a healthy blood pressure level. One cup of Swiss chard provides 17 percent of your daily potassium and 30 percent of your daily magnesium needs. Swiss chard may be cut and used in salads, omelets, or stir-fried with your favorite spices.
Berries
Anthocyanins, which are beneficial chemicals that belong to the flavonoids family, are abundant in berries. Blueberries have bioactive chemicals that protect against hypertension, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Those who consume at least one serving of berries per week had a 10% lower chance of having high blood pressure than those who do not. Try adding berries to your smoothies, salads, or cereal toppings to get more berries in your diet.
Lentils and Beans
Potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber, and protein are all abundant in beans and lentils. They aid in the relaxation of blood vessels and the reduction of blood pressure. High fiber content is also helpful for your heart and helps you maintain a healthy weight. 1 cup of beans is the recommended daily serving size. You may use them in a variety of meals, make bean salad, or soup, or eat them roasted as a snack. When cooking beans, avoid using too much salt because a high sodium level will not help you lower your blood pressure.
Oily fish, like salmon, are good for you.
Oily fish provides a high level of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, which aid to lower blood pressure by lowering the chemical oxylipins. Oxylipins are a type of lipid that constricts blood arteries. Salmon, mackerel, and mussels are examples of oily fish.
Dates
Copper, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and selenium are abundant in dates. All of these minerals assist to lower blood pressure by eliminating extra salt from the body, and they’re high in fiber, which helps to keep cholesterol out of blood vessels. Blood can flow freely through vessels without the fatty deposits caused by cholesterol. Add two dates to your regular diet for surprising results. You may use them in smoothies, salads, and as a cereal topper.
Oats
A high-fiber diet can aid in the maintenance of good blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 100 grams of fortified oats contain 10 grams of fiber, 359 grams of potassium, and 352 milligrams of calcium. By flushing out extra sodium and relaxing blood arteries, calcium and potassium lower blood pressure. To make your oat bowl more nutritious and heart-healthy, top it with fruits and seeds.
Chia seeds
Chia seeds are high in antioxidants and fiber, both of which assist to lower blood pressure. According to one study, taking 35 grams of chia flour each day for 12 weeks can help persons with hypertension drop their blood pressure. Chia seeds can be consumed by powdering them and adding them to smoothies, cereals, and baked goods.
Flaxseed
People with hypertension who consumed three tablespoons of flaxseed daily for six months saw a 10% reduction in blood pressure. Flax seeds contain alpha-linolenic acid, which helps to lower blood pressure, and cholesterol, and enhance heart health. Flaxseed can be easily consumed by grinding it and using it as a powder. Flaxseed powder can be added to smoothies, yogurt, and cereal toppings. You can use flaxseed oil instead of other unhealthy oils to gain flaxseed advantages and decrease blood pressure.
Beets and beet juice
Nitrates, which are abundant in beets, can help dilate blood arteries and lower blood pressure. Drinking just eight ounces of beet juice for 24 hours decreased participants’ blood pressure in one research, so drink extra. Although cooked beets can help lower blood pressure, raw beet juice is more effective and can lower your blood pressure quickly. Avoid taking beet juice with blood pressure drugs because the combination of the two can cause dangerously low blood pressure.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are a good source of important nutrients. They include potassium, magnesium, and amino acids, all of which induce nitric oxide to be produced. Nitric oxide is necessary for blood vessel dilatation and aids in the reduction of high blood pressure. Pumpkin seeds may easily be used as powder. Desserts, morning cereals, and smoothies can all benefit from them.
Spices and herbs
Adding herbs and spices to your food improves not only the flavor but also the therapeutic benefits. By dilating blood arteries and letting blood flow more freely throughout the body, black pepper, garlic, ginger, curcumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper can help decrease blood pressure. You can grate these spices when the food is ready or add them to soups, stews, curries, or baked goods while they are still cooking.
Amaranth
Amaranth is a nutrient-dense grain with a high fiber, protein, and magnesium content. A high-fiber diet is linked to lower levels of harmful cholesterol, and magnesium can help blood arteries relax. Both of these characteristics aid in the treatment of high blood pressure.
Broccoli
Broccoli has various health benefits, including improving the health of your circulatory system. Adding this cruciferous vegetable to your diet could help you lower your blood pressure. Broccoli contains a high concentration of flavonoid antioxidants, which may help decrease blood pressure by improving blood vessel function and raising nitric oxide levels in the body. A study of 187,453 participants discovered that those who ate 4 or more servings of broccoli per week had a decreased risk of high blood pressure than those who ate broccoli once a month or less.
Changing your eating habits is difficult, but including these foods in your diet can help you keep your blood pressure in check. In addition to these meals, try cutting back on salt in your diet and avoiding high-sodium commercial products. To improve your health, shop wisely and eat nutritious foods.
