8 Foods that may Help Manage Blood Pressure
Hypertension is a health problem that occurs in people who have constant high blood pressure in their arteries, whether caused by the narrowing of those arteries or by some kind of obstruction. It’s important to manage blood pressure issues before they get out of hand.
For someone to suffer from high blood pressure, their blood pressure reading must be equal to or higher than 140/90 mm Hg.
There can be many causes of this condition. They include obesity, genetic factors, excessive alcohol consumption, high sodium consumption, lack of aerobic exercise, birth control pills, analgesics, renal diseases, and adrenal diseases.
It is extremely important for people with hypertension to see their doctor and set up a treatment plan. If this illness is not properly addressed, it can lead to serious problems such as heart attacks, strokes or kidney failure.
There are a few home remedies that may help you manage blood pressure levels. You should keep in mind that these remedies are alternative in nature, and should in no way replace the medication or treatment recommended by your doctor.
Foods that may help manage blood pressure
Bananas
People with hypertension might benefit from eating at least one banana per day. This is because bananas are rich in potassium, which is crucial to reducing blood pressure.
According to a research study performed in India, eating two bananas per day can decrease blood pressure levels by up to 10%.
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Celery
Celery is a purifying diuretic that can help your body to eliminate toxic substances. This powerful food has high quantities of 3-N-butylphthalide, a kind of photochemical that is very helpful when it comes to controlling high blood pressure levels.
Preferably, you should eat raw celery, either in salads or juice form.
Lime
Regular lime consumption has been recommended time and time again for controlling high blood pressure. Limes help reduce blood pressure by expanding the blood vessels and making them more flexible.
We recommend drinking a glass of room temperature water with lime on an empty stomach once per day, without adding any sweeteners.
Garlic
Another food known for its power to reduce blood pressure and help improve your overall health is garlic. This food could help to reduce cholesterol, improve circulation, and, thus, decrease blood pressure levels.
Specialists recommend consuming raw garlic. This form will allow you to take advantage of all the benefits of this superfood. Another option is to take 6 to 8 drops of garlic extract diluted in water twice per day.
Onion juice
Onions, just like garlic, offer lots of benefits in terms of arterial and heart health. They can help improve circulation and combat high cholesterol and hypertension.
To benefit from the powerful properties of onions, we recommend drinking the juice of half a raw onion each day. In addition, you can try mixing it with one teaspoon of honey.
Coconut water
People who suffer from hypertension should always make sure to be well hydrated. This means that if you have high blood pressure, you should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.
One good option is to include coconut water as a part of your total liquid consumption, because this nutritious beverage is known for being able to significantly lower blood pressure levels.
Watermelon seeds
Lots of people throw out the seeds from their watermelon without thinking. But these little black seeds have a ton of properties that are good for arterial and kidney health.
Watermelon seeds have a substance called cucurbocitrin, which is capable of expanding blood vessels and improving kidney function. Likewise, these seeds combat hypertension and alleviate pain caused by arthritis.
To consume these seeds, you should gently crush them before mixing them with a cup of boiling water. Let the water set for an hour, and then drink four tablespoons of this liquid several times per day.
For more information on dealing with arthritis, continue reading:
How to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Honey
Pure honey may help calm your blood vessels, meaning it is a great tool when it comes to lowering blood pressure levels.
People who suffer from high blood pressure can try consuming one or two tablespoons of pure honey per day. Another option is to mix one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of ginger juice, and two teaspoons of cumin powder.
Use these natural tips in conjunction with your medication to help manage your blood pressure!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
Ried, K., & Fakler, P. (2014). Potential of garlic (Allium sativum) in lowering high blood pressure: Mechanisms of action and clinical relevance. Integrated Blood Pressure Control. https://doi.org/10.2147/IBPC.S51434
Griep, L. M. O., Stamler, J., Chan, Q., Van Horn, L., Steffen, L. M., Miura, K., … Elliott, P. (2013). Association of raw fruit and fruit juice consumption with blood pressure: The INTERMAP study1-4. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.046300
