Tuesday, April 16, 2024
HomeMust ReadAre Bananas Good For Blood Pressure

Are Bananas Good For Blood Pressure

Like Most Fruit Bananas Are Very Healthy

Doctor, are Bananas good for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?

Bananas are very nutritious.

They contain fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and several other beneficial plant compounds.

These nutrients may have a number of health benefits, such as for digestive and heart health.

Although bananas are unsuitable on a low-carb diet and may cause problems for some diabetics, overall they are an incredibly healthy food.

How Many Bananas Should You Eat To Lower Blood Pressure

Strictly speaking, there is no special banana number to aim for. Since potassiums effectiveness depends on your sodium levels , you would only see a blood pressure decrease if your potassium levels are the larger of the two. Consuming around twice as much potassium as sodium should tilt the balance of your kidneys towards lowering blood pressure.

It is worth keeping in mind, however, that this only applies if your high blood pressure is related to diet and excess sodium. Heart conditions, high stress, swollen arteries, or other health problems that affect blood pressure wont necessarily be counteracted by boosting the kidneys filtering ability.

Its also important not to go overboardthe body likes it when things are in balance and if you let potassium get too out of hand youll start to suffer toxicity effects. Due to this, it is very important not to use potassium supplements unless advised by a doctor and rely mainly on dietary sources.

It also matters how much extra sodium you have in your diet. More sodium means you need more potassium, so lowering your sodium intake can go a long way to keeping you from needing a banana bunch every day.

Foods To Help Lower Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is extremely common, affecting more than 100 million Americans according to the American Heart Association. But just because its common doesnt mean you should take it lightly. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can be deadly and the death rates from hypertension are rising.

There are certain things you can do to keep your blood pressure down and prevent it from rising higher. Many preventative actions related to hypertension are related to lifestyle habits exercising, for instance, and abstaining from cigarettes. Changing your diet is also one of the more impactful preventative measures you can take.

Certain foods and drinks are dangerous for your blood pressure eating too much of them can increase your risk over time. Other foods, though, can have the opposite effect. Here are 19 foods that could actually help lower your blood pressure.

You May Like: What Causes Blood Pressure To Increase

How Do Bananas Affect Weight Loss

No study has investigated the effects of bananas on weight loss.

However, one study of obese, diabetic people investigated how unripe banana starch affected body weight and insulin sensitivity.

They found that taking 24 grams of banana starch each day for 4 weeks caused weight loss of 2.6 lbs , while also improving insulin sensitivity .

Other studies have also linked fruit consumption to weight loss. Fruit is high in fiber, and high fiber intake has been associated with lower body weight (

22 ).

It may contribute to weight loss by increasing fullness and reducing appetite, thus helping people eat fewer calories .

Although no studies have shown that bananas per se cause weight loss, they have several properties that should make them a weight loss friendly food.

That being said, bananas are not a good food for low-carb diets. A medium-sized banana contains 27 grams of carbs.

Bottom Line:

The fiber content of bananas may promote weight loss by increasing the feeling of fullness and reducing appetite. However, the high carb content of bananas makes them unsuitable for low-carb diets.

Lifestyle Changes Recommended For High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure? You should have more bananas to keep ...

The American Heart Association encourages people with high blood pressure to:

  • Eat a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grain foods, as well as fish and skinless poultry
  • Limit alcohol
  • Manage stress

If youre worried about your blood pressure, the first step is to see your doctor, in order to have your blood pressure checked. Then, after a discussion with your healthcare provider, it can help to start incorporating some of these foods into your meals. Your taste buds and your heart will thank you.

Read Also: Pain Increase Blood Pressure

Bananas Are One Of The Most Widely Consumed Fruits In The World For Good Reason Eating Them Could Help Lower Blood Pressure And Reduce The Risks Of Cancer And Asthma According To Research Studies Two Bananas A Day For A Week Can Reduce Your Blood Pressure By 10 Percent In This Article We Are Discussing How Eating Banana Is Good For Blood Pressure

Today, bananas are grown in at least 107 countries and are ranked fourth among the world’s food crops in monetary value. Americans consume more bananas than apples and oranges combined.

With the world consuming so many bananas, it’s not surprising that people are asking the question: are bananas good for you?

This article will take a look at the potential health benefits of bananas, such as improving heart health and promoting regularity. It also examines the possible health risks associated with them.

Instructions

How Are Fruits Good For Blood Pressure

Some fruits contain magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which all play a role in regulating blood pressure. These mineral elements are essential for fluid balance and may help prevent high blood pressure.

Fruit is also low in sodium, which can make the heart pump blood faster when consumed in large amounts. One piece of fruit has only up to five milligrams of sodium. Fruit also is rich in antioxidants that help repair damaged arteries.

Recommended Reading: What Animal Has The Highest Blood Pressure

What Is High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of blood pumping through the arteries is consistently too high. When this occurs, the walls of the arteries are extended beyond their normal limit, which can lead to damage and scarring and put people at risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.

Blood pressure is expressed in two numbers:

  • Systolic blood pressure : measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats
  • Diastolic blood pressure : measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is at rest between beats

High, elevated, and normal blood pressure is usually defined in the following ranges:

Yogurt Provides The Calcium Necessary For Normal Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure & Bananas

Yogurt is a good source of calcium an 8-ounce serving of plain, lowfat yogurt provides 415 milligrams, per the NIH, almost one-third of an adults recommended daily value. Calcium deficiency can be a contributor to high blood pressure, according to Harvard Health.

A lot of people associate calcium with something that children need, and stop focusing on calcium-containing foods as an adult, but the adult body still needs it, Dean says.

Yogurt is a low-sodium food thats great straight out of the container, but you can also use it as a creamy addition to a smoothie just mix a cup with diced portions of your favorite fruit in the blender. Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt whenever possible. Nonfat, plain Greek yogurt also makes a great substitute for sour cream!

Recommended Reading: Can High Blood Pressure Cause Nerve Damage

Heres Why People With Hypertension Must Have Banana Without Fail

Written by Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Published : December 13, 2017 5:26 PM IST

When we come to know that we have hypertension, the first thing we do is make a list of dos and donts to follow. And without a second thought, we tend to cut down on the foods rich in salt and try to avoid adding salt to food. However, one food you must include in the diet is a banana. Known as a comfort food, banana not only gives an instant boost of energy but also helps in maintaining your blood pressure. It can also help lower your risk of health problems due to hypertension such as heart disease and stroke. Hence, eat a banana every day to keep your blood pressure in control.

Why is banana good for people with high blood pressure?

The effectiveness of potassium-rich foods in lowering blood pressure has been demonstrated by a number of studies. Banana is one of the best sources of potassium. According to the FDA diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. It is an essential mineral that plays a key role in maintaining blood pressure and normal heart function. Moreover, potassium also helps the body to maintain fluid and electrolyte balances in the cells, which helps control blood pressure. A medium-sized banana provides 350 mg of potassium. People with a low amount of potassium in their diet are at an increased risk of stroke. If you have hypertension, here are foods you must include in the diet every day.

Why Maintaining A Healthy Blood Pressure Matters

Maintaining a normal blood pressure is important as it allows nutrients and oxygen to be delivered to all parts of the body, including important organs like your heart, brain, and kidneys. According to the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 70 percent of adults 65 and older have high blood pressure . If you have hypertension, you are put at risk for a stroke and heart disease, which are leading causes of death in the country. By eating a low sodium diet rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium called the DASH diet, you can take the necessary steps to lower your blood pressure. Read on to learn about foods you can incorporate into your diet to stay healthy.

Recommended Reading: Apple Watch Do Blood Pressure

Bananas Can Help Regulate Blood Sugar

The idea that people with prediabetes or diabetes should avoid eating sweet fruit is a myth, as long as youre staying within your carbohydrate needs. This is about one-half of a Cavendish, which is the most ubiquitous banana type.

Indeed, bananas, which contain pectin and resistant starch, might actually help lower blood sugar. Richards says that these soluble fibers act in concert with each other by increasing the sensation of satiety, preventing overeating, and slowing the rate of digestion.

In addition, the glycemic index of a banana is 30 to 60, depending on ripeness. The glycemic index measures how carbohydrates in foods will alter blood sugar, from a scale of 0 to 100. The lower the GI, the less likely the food will cause a rapid spike, Richards says. For a lower GI, eat greener fruit.

The key is to pair the carb source with protein and fat. Otherwise the blood sugar will spike and then go down, says Monica Auslander Moreno, MS, RDN, the lead dietitian at Miamis Essence Nutrition. She suggests combining high-carb bananas with eggs, yogurt, or peanut butter.

Read Also: Blood Pressure Changes During Exercise

How To Control High Blood Pressure With Bananas

Nutrients in bananas help to reduce blood pressure
  • 2 years ago
  • 1 minute read

High blood pressure is a condition where the strain of flowing blood against the arteries is higher than the delicate blood vessels can bear. This can happen due to many reasons including, poor diet, fast-paced life and stress.

One of the main causes of high blood pressure is the high level of sodium in the body. This causes an imbalance in the water levels of the body due to which kidneys cannot flush out excess water. In this scenario, the kidneys start working harder to flush out water, putting a lot of pressure on blood vessels. Potassium reduces the effect of sodium on the body. Hence, eating bananas lower blood pressure due to their high potassium content. You can try eating 2 bananas per day for one week which may reduce your blood pressure by 10%*. You should not eat bananas for dinner as they may not digest properly at night.

Eating bananas for high blood pressure may not be recommended to you if you have other chronic health issues or medical conditions with BP. Banana is good for high blood pressure because it has high potassium content which may not be good for conditions like kidney stones. Consult your doctor before adding bananas to your diet.

Read Also: Shaking Low Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure And Hypertension Have Become Common Health Problems Which Are Affecting Many People Around The World Eating A Healthy Diet Packed With Fibre

High blood pressure is a condition where the force of your blood against the blood vessels is too high

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition where the force of your blood against the blood vessels is too high. High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for stroke. According to the WHO estimates, as many as 17.9 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in the year 2016, representing 31% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% are due to heart attack and stroke. The normal range of blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, if your blood pressure is consistently higher than this range, you must consult a doctor immediately. High blood pressure could result due to a variety of reasons. Poor dietary choices and lifestyle habits are also said to raise blood pressure levels. If you have been bingeing in to fries and greasy fritters regularly or having a drink or two a bit too often, you may be at a high risk.

Eating a healthy diet packed with fibre-rich fruits and vegetables is crucial for high blood pressure management. According to experts, including bananas in your diet may do wonders to prevent the surge. Bananas are a good source of fibre and antioxidants that keeps the heart healthy here’s what makes it an excellent fruit for high blood pressure patients.

Bananas Are High In Potassium

Bananas are a major dietary source of potassium.

One medium-sized banana contains around 0.4 grams of potassium, or 9% of the RDI.

Potassium is an important mineral that many people arent getting enough of. It plays a crucial role in blood pressure control and kidney function .

A potassium-rich diet can help lower blood pressure and positively affect heart health. A high potassium intake is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease (

Bottom Line:

Unripe, green bananas are rich in resistant starch and pectin, which may promote digestive health and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Read Also: Vinegar To Lower Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure You Should Have More Bananas To Keep Numbers Down

Blood pressure related ailments keeping you sick, and no medicine or lifestyle changes making any impact on lowering the count? Heres help: Make bananas keep your BP in check.

Bananas are loaded with a load of important vitamins and minerals: They are a rich source of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, folate, phosphorus and potassium. One banana can provide us with around 400 mg of potassium, and it is this very potassium content which gives it the ability to control high blood pressure.

But how do bananas help in doing so? What is the process?

Bananas contain potassium, a key mineral which helps lower blood pressure. It does so, by balancing the negative effects of high salt intake in our body. Eating salt increases the level of sodium in your body, in the bloodstream, thereby affecting our kidneys to remove water. The kidney is the prime organ which filters our bloodstream and removes excess fluid from it. By consuming a fruit like a banana, you are reducing the pressure on your kidney and thus taking your blood pressure to a healthy level too, explains Dr Manoj Kutteri, wellness director at Atmantan Wellness Centre, Pune.

But wont having bananas lead to weight gain? No, says Ramesh Gajria, founder of Train Me app.

This fruit is also an easy go-to-snack providing you the benefit of consuming only 100 calories along with a vitamin and mineral rich diet including vitamin C and potassium, Gajria stresses.

Follow for more

A Bananas Effect On Blood Sugar Depends On Its Ripeness

Blood Pressure & Bananas

Yellow, or ripe, bananas contain less resistant starch than green bananas, as well as more sugar, which is more quickly absorbed than starch.

This means fully ripe bananas have a higher GI and will cause your blood sugar to rise faster than green unripe bananas .

Summary

Green bananas contain resistant starch, which doesnt raise blood sugar levels and may improve long-term blood sugar management. Yellow bananas contain more sugar, so they may cause a bigger rise in blood sugar.

Also Check: Can You Have Heart Problems With Normal Blood Pressure

Are Bananas Safe For Diabetics

Opinions are mixed about whether bananas are safe for people with diabetes, since they are high in starch and sugar.

However, they still rank low to medium on the glycemic index, which measures how foods affect the rise in blood sugar after a meal.

Bananas have a glycemic index value of 4262, depending on their ripeness .

Consuming moderate amounts of bananas should be safe for people with diabetes, but they may want to avoid eating large amounts of bananas that are fully ripe.

Furthermore, it should be noted that diabetics should always make sure to monitor their blood sugar levels carefully after eating foods rich in carbs and sugar.

Bottom Line:

Eating a moderate amount of bananas should not raise blood sugar levels significantly. However, diabetics should be careful with fully ripe bananas.

Processed Foods With Trans Or Saturated Fat

To keep the heart healthy, its best to reduce saturated fats and avoid trans fats. This is especially true for people with high blood pressure.

Trans fats are artificial fats that increase packaged foods shelf life and stability.

However, eating them LDL cholesterol levels and lowers HDL cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of hypertension.

Saturated fats the levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.

Trans fats are especially harmful for your health and are poor heart health, including an increased risk of:

  • heart disease
  • stroke
  • type 2 diabetes

Packaged, pre-prepared foods often contain trans fats and saturated fats, alongside high amounts of sugar, sodium, and low fiber carbohydrates.

Saturated fats are mostly found in animal products, including:

  • full fat milk and cream
  • butter

, full fat dairy doesnt raise blood pressure.

Read Also: What Causes Irregular Blood Pressure

RELATED ARTICLES

Popular Articles