It may be no surprise to many people, but consuming a healthy diet can help to lower blood pressure. This news comes as more research shows just how important it is to monitor the type of foods we eat.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease stroke and other dangerous conditions.
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There are many preventative measures that can be taken to help keep blood pressure in check. Getting regular exercise and adding foods that support healthy blood pressure are two excellent ways to stay healthy.
Even if you have already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, altering your diet could be essential to help medications work better. It could even help to reduce the number of drugs needed to control blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Lowering Diet
Many people know that eating a healthy diet can help with lowering blood pressure, but they are not sure where to start. It can be confusing as there are so many diets currently on the market, and what may work for one person may not be the best for another.
Overall, the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is most recommended by doctors for those wanting to lower blood pressure. The DASH diet focuses on lowering salt and boosting minerals potassium and calcium through food. Health care professionals recommend getting between 1,000 and 1,300 milligrams (mg) of calcium every day from food.
Vegetarians and vegans also tend to have significantly lower blood pressure and lower odds of hypertension than non-vegetarians. This is in part due to the extra fiber they receive from the vegetables and fruits they consume. This goes to show that getting enough fruits and vegetables can help everyone lower blood pressure.
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Flax seeds are also a great way to help lower blood pressure. The omega-3 fatty acids can be absorbed by the body by grinding the flax seeds in a coffee bean or spice grinder and sprinkling them over foods. Two tablespoons a day is a recommended daily amount to help with lowering blood pressure.
If you are a tea drinker, be sure to enjoy a cup of hibiscus herbal tea, which has been found to help adults with mild high blood pressure, according to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition.
Overall, there are many foods that can be used to help lower blood pressure. If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, be sure to follow your doctor’s orders for medication. These foods are meant to help with lowering doses of blood pressure medication but may not be able to replace the drug entirely. Speak with your doctor about what foods are best for you, and other alternatives to prescription medication.
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
