10 Foods That Help Lower Blood Pressure
It is important that our blood maintains a certain pressure when it is being pumped around the body. Otherwise, it would not have enough power to supply the body thoroughly. Despite this, it is also important to make sure that our blood pressure is not too high. If our blood pressure is too high then it may lead to some rather serious complications.
High blood pressure is often, but not always, down to lifestyle choices such as how active we are and what we eat.
In many cases, making changes to your lifestyle will help to bring your blood pressure down to naturally safe levels. That includes adding certain foods to your diet. Here’s a look at just a few foods that can help.
Helpful Food #1: Dark Chocolate
That dark chocolate can actually help to reduce blood pressure will be music to the ears of millions of people across the world. It makes a welcome change from being told that we cannot treat ourselves with our favorite foods. Several trials have shown that dark chocolate is able to help reduce blood pressure in people that have hypertension.
This does not mean that we can go out gorging ourselves on dark chocolate, though. It can still be very fattening and this can contribute to high blood pressure. You should eat it in moderation only and you should also try to choose better-quality chocolate where possible.
Helpful Food #2: Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a popular addition to many healthy living diets. It is full of important nutrients and is also low in calories, helping people to shed those extra pounds. What’s more is that oatmeal keeps you fuller for longer, meaning you are less likely to eat during the day. It gets even better because oatmeal is also able to help reduce hypertension.
Oatmeal contains a fiber, which is known as beta-glucan. Studies have shown that this fiber is able to help reduce blood pressure as well as lowering cholesterol in the blood. Regardless of its health benefits, it certainly makes a great way to start the day.
Helpful Food #3: Leafy Greens
You might struggle to get a lot of children eating leafy greens. A lot of adults don’t like them either for that matter. Regardless of how you like their taste, though, there is no doubting that they are very good for you.
Leafy greens are packed with important nutrition and are a good source of nitrates, and these are thought to be able to keep our blood pressure down. They are also a good source of potassium and this helps us to flush sodium from our system. Removing sodium from the body will also help us to reduce our blood pressure.
Helpful Food #4: Berries
Berries are simply delicious. They are great for people in healthy diets because they allow for sweet and tasty treats without having to worry about your health. There are also numerous types so anybody should be able to find something that they like. What’s even better is that they are actually very good for us.
Many berries are a good source of flavonoids and studies have shown that these can help to reduce blood pressure. Some of the best sources of these flavonoids are popular berries such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Berries are also very flexible and can be used in a range of dishes, or even eaten just as they are.
Helpful Food #5: Yogurt
Yogurt is a type of dairy food that is made from milk. There are various types of yogurt and it is found in a wide range of cuisines. It is a probiotic, which means it is great for the digestive system and is also high in calcium and low in fat. In addition, it has also been shown to be able to keep our blood pressure down.
A study has shown that women who ate yogurt regularly were 20 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than those that don’t. Remember, though, that it is best to go for plain yoghurt where possible because many products will come with unhealthy ingredients.
Helpful Food #6: Salmon
Salmon is one of the most popular fish there is, and for very good reasons. For starters, it is simply delicious and can be prepared in a number of ways. Also, it is a very good source of protein and fatty acids. It is very popular in healthy diets and it can also help to keep our blood pressure down.
Salmon is a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids and these have been shown to be able to reduce blood pressure. Trout is another popular fish that can help keep your blood pressure down because it is a good source of vitamin D.
Helpful Food #7: Bananas
Bananas are one of the most popular fruits of all. This is partly down to their great taste and also because they are so convenient to eat. Simply peel away the skin and you have a fresh and tasty snack ready for eating. The benefits don’t stop there either because bananas are also very good for you.
Bananas, like other fruits, are a great source of vitamins and minerals, among other things. They are also a very good source of potassium and potassium is very useful in helping to keep our blood pressure down. Include bananas in your diet every day and you are well on your way to great health.
Helpful Food #8: Beets
Beetroot, or beets, is a popular food that can be cooked in various ways. It is often served up as a part of a main meal, while it can also be used in salads. Beets are delicious and packed with nutrition, while they can also help people to keep their blood pressure down. Beets can also be made into refreshing and nutritious juices.
Beets are a good source of nitrates and these have been shown to be able to reduce blood pressure. Indeed, one study suggested that beetroot juice can lower a person’s blood pressure in as little as 24 hours. Keep beets in your diet and they can help you to keep in great shape.
Helpful Food #9: Olive Oil
Olive oil has been used in cooking for thousands of years. It can be used for frying but also helps to add flavor to meals. It is also often used as a dressing for salads. Its flexibility means that you could have a lot of fun experimenting with it in the kitchen.
In addition to adding great flavor, olive oil also brings numerous health benefits. For instance, it is a good source of polyphenols and these are able to help reduce our blood pressure, among other things. When cooking, try swapping standard oils for olive oil for the health benefits it brings.
Helpful Food #10: Pistachios
You won’t find many healthy-living diets without some nuts included somewhere. Nuts are actually very fatty, but they are the good kind of fats that do more good than harm. They are also full of compounds that can give us health benefits overall. There are also many types of nuts and pistachios are among the favorites.
Some studies have shown that eating pistachios regularly may be able to help keep your blood pressure down. It is thought that this could be down to a compound found in pistachios that can help to relax blood vessels that are otherwise too tight. They are very high in calories, though, but taken in moderation they can be very good for you indeed.
