Other Ways To Lower Blood Pressure
There are a variety of natural ways to lower blood pressure in addition to diet and exercise. For instance, there are several essential oils associated with a reduction in blood pressure, including:
- Bougriba oil
- Valerian oil
If youre interested in supplements that can help you reduce blood pressure, I would try cod liver oil. This anti-inflammatory powerhouse has incredible health benefits and can help to effectively lower blood pressure.
How Does Diet Play A Role In Managing High Blood Pressure
An unhealthy diet that’s high in sodium, saturated fat, and sugar may increase your risk of high blood pressure. These nutrients contribute to hypertension in a variety of ways. For example, saturated fat increases cholesterol levels, including “bad” LDL cholesterol, that can block your arteries and slow blood flow.
While it’s important to minimize these nutrients in your diet to decrease your risk of or manage your high blood pressure, it’s also important to eat more foods that lower blood pressure.
Foods that lower blood pressure contain specific nutrients that are scientifically proven to reduce blood pressure. These nutrients include:
- beta-carotene
- resveratrol
- vitamin C
While the words “blood pressure-lowering diet” may conjure images of unseasoned egg whites and limp steamed veggies, getting your blood pressure into a healthy range is more than just doableit can be downright delicious.
Here is a list of the 20 healthiest foods that lower blood pressure. And for a more structured eating plan, consider trying the DASH Diet or “The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension” Diet. This expert-approved, heart-healthy diet is one of the top-recommended diets to lower blood pressure.
Foods To Avoid If You Have High Blood Pressure
If you’re living with high blood pressure, Mosca says that in addition to limiting your intake of sodium you should minimize sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red meats to lower your risk of heart disease or stroke.
The American Heart Association also recommends cutting back on saturated and trans fats. In general, try to reduce your consumption of pre-packaged, processed, and prepared foods. And watch out for foods that add salt to your diet, including:
- Pizza
- Canned soup or other canned goods
- Cold cuts and cured meats
- Frozen dinners
- Condiments such as ketchup, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and barbecue sauce
- Some cheeses, seafood, and olives
You May Like: Can I Take Claritin If I Have High Blood Pressure
What Are The Best Foods For High Blood Pressure
Food has such a major impact on blood pressure that an entire diet was created for people with or at risk for hypertension to follow called the DASH diet .
The DASH diet generally includes healthy eating principles with a focus on many of the choices discussed here, especially fruits, vegetables, fish, and low-fat dairy. It also minimizes choices that increase blood pressure such as salt and saturated fats.
The DASH diet is widely recommended by healthcare authorities including the AHA and mayo clinic .
Eating the right amount in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight is also important for blood pressure control and overall health.
Bottom Line: A healthy diet and regular exercise can often lead to effective blood pressure control without the need to be dependent on medications.
Choices Naturally Rich In Nitrates
The American Heart Association recommends getting at least 4,700mg daily of potassium .
It is possible to get too much potassium if it’s taken in the form of a supplement, especially in people with chronic kidney disease. So while food sources are usually considered safe, its always important to talk to your doctor for specific medical advice before taking any potassium supplements.
Read Also: Does Claritin D Raise Blood Pressure
Red And Processed Meat
If youre looking for foods to lower blood pressure, youre not going to find yourself in the meat section of your grocery store. That doesnt mean all meat is bad, but meat is just not a top choice for a high blood pressure diet.
Meats that are highly processed and high in sodium like cold cuts and sausage are especially unhelpful if youre looking to lower your blood pressure.
The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study followed 5,115 young men and women over a 15-year time period and monitored them for the development of cardiovascular disease risk factors.
A CARDIA sub-study of 4304 subjects specifically focused on hypertension showed a dose-dependent inverse relationship between plant-based food consumption, including fruits, whole grains, and nuts, and blood pressure.
The research also revealed the opposite when it came to meatgreater red and processed meat intake was associated with higher blood pressure.
Foods To Eat To Lower Blood Pressure
Its estimated that 2 of 3 people with diabetes have high blood pressure. When blood pressure is elevated, your heart works harder to pump blood throughout your body. High blood pressure increases your risk of a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and eye problems.
You have already heard about how added salt can increase blood pressure, but did you know that certain foods can help to lower blood pressure? Foods that are high in potassium, magnesium, and calcium can help to regulate blood pressure. Taking these minerals as supplements doesnt have the same effect as eating foods that contain these. Try eating some of the following foods to boost your intake of nutrients that can lower blood pressure naturally.
Nuts are a good source of plant protein and contain the amino acid L-arginine which makes nitric oxide and helps blood vessels relax. While all nuts are a healthy choice, both almonds and pistachios contain the trifecta of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Nuts are low in carbohydrates and eating nuts has been linked to improved glucose levels.
Beets contain nitrates, which are converted to nitric oxide which helps to control blood pressure. Beetroot juice contains higher amounts of nitrates than cooked beetroot. Beetroots contain potassium. For added calcium and magnesium, eat the beet greens as well.
Also Check: Does Claritin D Raise Blood Pressure
Five Whole Foods For Lower Blood Pressure
Weve all heard it before: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But it turns out, the old saying might be more true than you think. Fruit is one of the best choices for reducing blood pressure. Find out what foods are the most effective at reducing blood pressure according to researchers.
What Is High Blood Pressure & What Is Normal Blood Pressure
Healthy or normal blood pressure is below 120/80 120 being the systolic level and 80 being the diastolic level. Most people tend to be right around these levels or slightly higher. The systolic level is the highest your blood pressure reaches when your heart beats, and the diastolic is the lowest it reaches as your heart relaxes. Sometimes these levels get too high due to complications stemming from diet, weight, activity levels, alcohol, smoking, and stress.
There are varying degrees of blood pressure measured in five categories.
- Normal: Systolic less than 120 and diastolic less than 80
- Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80
- Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89
- Stage 2 hypertension: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90
- Hypertensive crisis: Systolic over 180 or diastolic over 120
Recommended Reading: Can Claritin Raise Blood Pressure
It Is Important To Monitor And Manage High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of which blood pushes against the walls of blood vessels, and if someone has high blood pressure it can be difficult for the heart and blood vessels to work efficiently. Cholesterol narrows the inside of the artery walls with a build-up of plaque which is a factor that increases blood pressure so there are ways to lower blood pressure by restricting cholesterol intake and embracing a healthy diet to improve heart health.
Alongside prescription medication, changing your diet to include more fruits and vegetables can significantly reduce high blood pressure in the short term and the long term. Read on to find out more about some dietary approaches to stop hypertension.
Best And Worst Foods For Healthy Blood Pressure
Healthy blood pressure is linked to a healthy heart and a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. What you eat can directly impact your blood pressure by raising or lowering it. Read on for the best and worst foods to eat for healthy blood pressure.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is referred to as the “silent killer,” because it usually has no symptoms but can develop over many years and then lead to a life-threatening event such as a heart attack or stroke.
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of blood flowing through blood vessels. If the force becomes too high, it raises blood pressure. It’s not entirely clear what causes high blood pressure, but it is clear that certain foods can lead to higher blood pressure. Specifically, foods high in sodium. Sodium holds onto water in the body, and the extra water puts added pressure on blood vessels, causing blood pressure to rise.
Gaining weight can also raise blood pressure, so pay attention to overall calorie intake, in addition to sodium, to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Also Check: Long Term Effects Of High Blood Pressure
What Food Lowers Blood Pressure Immediately
Fifteen foods that help to lower blood pressure
- Berries. Share on Pinterest Blueberries and strawberries contain anthocyanins, which can help reduce a person’s bloodpressure.
- Bananas.
In this regard, how can I lower my blood pressure immediately?
Here are 17 effective ways to lower your blood pressure levels:
Additionally, can Apple cider vinegar lower blood pressure immediately? Back then people used it for antibacterial or antifungal reasons, but nowadays some claim that drinking two tablespoons a day has beneficial effects on weight, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.” The data are currently insufficient to use apple cider vinegar to lower blood pressure, however.
Similarly, it is asked, what food lowers blood pressure quickly?
13 foods that help lower blood pressure
Fruits For High Blood Pressure
Fruit is full of nutrients that can bring down your blood pressure. The key nutrients are potassium, magnesium, and fiber. The potassium in bananas, for example, lowers tension in the walls of your blood vessels. It also helps get rid of sodium — which raises blood pressure — through your urine.
Since fruit is sweet, it makes a good substitute for less healthy desserts. Look for fresh, frozen, or canned versions of these fruits that pack a lot of potassium, magnesium, and fiber:
- Apples
- Oranges
- Pears
- Prunes
If you buy canned fruit, make sure its packed in water or natural juices, not syrup. And also check to see that theres no added sugar or salt.
Read Also: Can High Blood Pressure Cause Shaking
Tips For Using Diet To Control Blood Pressure
Fiddling with diet to control cholesterol makes perfect sense. After all, some of the cholesterol that ends up in arteries starts out in food. Changing your diet to control blood pressure doesn’t seem quite so straightforward. Yet food can have a direct and sometimes dramatic effect on blood pressure.
Salt certainly plays a role. But there is far more to a blood pressurefriendly diet than minimizing salt intake. Fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, beans, nuts, whole-grain carbohydrates, and unsaturated fats also have healthful effects on blood pressure.
There isn’t a single “magic” food in this list. Instead, it’s the foundation for an all-around healthful eating strategy that is good for blood pressure and so much more. Rigorous trials show that eating strategies such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, DASH variants like the OmniHeart diet, and Mediterranean-type diets lower blood pressure in people with hypertension and those headed in that direction. They also help prevent some of the feared consequences of high blood pressure.
Check Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is common and often has no symptoms. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.
Health professionals such as nurses, pharmacists and doctors can check your blood pressure with a simple test.
High blood pressure increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, but there are things you can do to lower your blood pressure.
Reducing your blood pressure can make a big difference to your health and help prevent development of stroke or heart disease.
Also Check: Blood Presure Treatment
Your Diet Is Just The Beginning
Of course, many other factors influence blood pressure too. These include physical activity, adequate sleep, sun exposure, meditation, and other stress-management practices. In the end, however, the majority of these link back to diet. What goes into your mouth is certainly the most influential factor at play.
There are so many natural foods that may help lower your blood pressure. It’s just a matter of trying them out for yourself.
References
Medicines For High Blood Pressure
Some people with high blood pressure need to take medication to lower their blood pressure, as well as making the healthy lifestyle changes above. Talk to your doctor about whether you need medication for high blood pressure.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners also recommends that you regularly review with your doctor or specialist any medications you are taking for high blood pressure or high cholesterol to assess the ongoing benefits and risks.
The RACGP recommends that if you have raised blood pressure and are concerned about cardiovascular disease but are low risk, talk to your doctor or specialist about whether the benefits will outweigh the risks involved with taking medication to lower your blood pressure.
For further information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.
Don’t Miss: Can Claritin Cause High Blood Pressure
One The Easiest Steps You Can Take To Prevent High Blood Pressure Is Choosing Healthy Foods
High blood pressure is a health issue that affects both young and old Australians alike, with close to 6 million Australians aged 18 years and over with high blood pressure.
Alarmingly its one of the leading risk factors for death and disability in Australia, as well as across the world.
One the easiest steps you can take to prevent high blood pressure is choosing healthy foods.
The foods we choose every day are important for our heart health. Research into high blood pressure shows us that the foods we consume can help to lower and manage high blood pressure.
But dont worry, weve done the heavy lifting and read the research, all you need to do is read on. The following foods are your best bets in beating high blood pressure based on the science.
How To Stock Your Kitchen Healthily:
Download our free FoodSwitch app. It can help you make healthier choices when shopping. By scanning the barcode of a product the app will tell you how much salt, sugar and fat it contains and find similar but healthier alternatives.
Find out more about the foods that are high in salt, sugar and fat and the healthier options available.
Get more ideas for healthy eating from our meal plan in Positive Pressure, our members magazine.
You May Like: How Does Alcohol Increase Blood Pressure Mechanism
Whole Grain Foods That Lower Blood Pressure
Bread, cereal, pasta, and other foods with carbs and starches can come in whole grain or refined grain versions. Whole grains are full of dietary fiber. Thats why theyre a lot better for your body than foods made with refined white flour. Switch to whole grain versions of foods you already eat. For example, go for whole wheat bread rather than white. Choose brown rice over white.
Shopping tip: Some packaged foods contain a whole grain seal. If you dont see it, check the ingredient list. If the first ingredient listed contains the word whole, that item likely contains mostly whole grain.
Look for whole grain versions of these foods:
- Bread
Improvement In Blood Pressure
The study showed that the high spice diet tended to improve 24-hour blood pressure readings, compared with the medium and low spice diets.
The researchers did not observe any effect of the diets on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, clinic-measured blood pressure, markers of glycemia, vascular function, or oxidative stress.
However, they say that 24-hour blood pressure readings are a
Read Also: What Causes Your Blood Pressure To Be High
Every Bread Bin Needs:
Low-salt or no-salt bread. Bread is an important part of our diet because its high in carbohydrates and fibre and a good source of energy, but low in fat. Unfortunately, most manufactured bread you buy in bakers or supermarkets contains salt. Salt acts to raise your blood pressure.
Bread available in bakers or supermarkets can contain large amounts of salt which will raise your blood pressure. The amounts vary, so check the labels and compare options, and choose brown or wholemeal breads instead of white.
You can also make your own bread without any salt.