- 6 Foods To Reduce Blood Pressure
- 1. Oatmeal
- 2. Leafy Greens
- 3. Bananas
- 4. GarlicÂ
- 5. Beet Root
- 6. Berries
As the name suggests, high blood pressure a.k.a hypertension is characterised by increased pressure of blood flowing through the blood vessels. It’s something you want to keep under control, since it can lead to other dangerous conditions over time. Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and chronic kidney disease to name a few. Ayurvedic doctors often advise adding certain foods to one’s diet. That’s because they contain nutrients that help your body normalise the blood pressure. On that note, here are 6 foods to reduce blood pressure.
6 Foods To Reduce Blood Pressure
1. Oatmeal
First up is oatmeal. Oatmeal is among the foods to reduce blood pressure since it has loads of fibre, while being low on both fat and sodium. If you have hypertension, you need to eat plenty of fibre since it can reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, oatmeal improves digestion and helps you stay full for longer – which supports better weight gain prevention. This further helps manage hypertension.
2. Leafy Greens
No doubt, leafy green veggies are superfoods. Reduced blood pressure is among their myriad health benefits. That’s because they are low in fat while being high in potassium. Potassium is a vital mineral for those with hypertension since it balances out excess sodium. So, eat plenty of leafy greens like kale, fenugreek, lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard.
3. Bananas
Bananas are among the top foods that reduce blood pressure, primarily because they are excellent sources of potassium. So, add them to your breakfast. Bananas also provide you with other health-boosting nutrients like calcium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin C. They make a great pre-yoga snack or day time pick-me-up since they give you a natural energy kick. Moreover, bananas also stabilise moods because of their high magnesium content.
4. Garlic
Ayurvedic doctors also prescribe garlic among the foods to lower blood pressure. This powerful herb contains BP reducing substances like nitric oxide and allicin. Nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels, thus improving blood flow. Allicin is a potent compound in garlic that several studies have found to lower blood pressure, although they’re not yet sure how. Moreover, garlic offers a variety of other health benefits, including higher immunity.
5. Beet Root
Beets also help reduce BP naturally. These red root veggies are very healthy for the cardiovascular system. They have loads of nitric oxide, highly beneficial in lowering blood pressure. Nitric oxide works by relaxing blood vessels, thus easing the flow of blood throughout your body. Studies suggest that drinking one glass of fresh beet juice a day can produce quick results. You could also add this vegetable to stews and salads.
6. Berries
Fourth on the list of blood pressure lowering foods is berries. These delicious little fruits provide you with plenty of flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants that can benefit the cardiovascular system in many ways, like lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Blueberries and raspberries are great for high blood pressure. So, snack on them during the day.
Note: This article is solely for the purpose of sharing information. Please do not substitute it for professional medical advice. Before using anything as a medicine, always consult your doctor.
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