This list of foods that lower blood pressure will help you plan your meals, offering a natural remedy for high blood pressure. A few simple changes in diet can have a profound effect on your blood pressure levels, and it doesn’t have to be hard.
Eating can be one of life’s great pleasures, but the fact is that many people are digging their own graves with their knives and forks. It’s known that certain foods can increase the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) and others can help to regulate it. This guide will help you quickly make the right choices, whilst still enjoying your food.
Ok, first to the bad guys…
Foods That Can Contribute To High Blood Pressure
Don’t worry, I’m not going to give you a huge list here, because I believe that adding more foods that lower blood pressure can help offset the effects of some of the more harmful ones.
But one thing that can’t be overlooked is the consumption of fructose, and in particular high fructose corn syrup (also check labels for Corn Starch or Modified Maize). There is enough evidence around to suggest that this has a devastating effect on your body, and it’s found in an enormous amount of soft drinks and processed foodstuffs as a sweetener.
The body stores unused fructose as fat, it contributes to insulin resistance, and it can raise levels of triglycerides in the blood (particularly in men) which can contribute to high blood pressure and raise the risk of heart disease.
So, my advice is simple – read the labels, and make an intelligent choice.
Now I love the occasional trip to Starbucks as much as the next guy, but drinking too much caffeine isn’t going to help matters, and I don’t need to tell you about smoking (although if you fancy quitting read this article to find out why yoga is one of the best methods to stop smoking).
OK, so enough about those things, it’s now time to look at the good guys…
Foods That Lower Blood Pressure
If you still want to eat meat then try substituting fish or chicken in place of red meat. Having said that there is plenty of evidence that people who move to a healthy vegetarian diet generally have a healthier blood pressure.
Apologies if I sound like your mother, but… Fresh vegetables are particularly recommended, especially if you can eat them raw (or very lightly steamed). Of particular note are sweet potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, cabbage and squashes (including pumpkins).
Flaxseed oil and walnut oil are high in omega-3 fats and should be on your list.
When it comes to fruits then bananas are particularly recommended due to their high potassium and magnesium content, both of which are important for cardiovascular health.
A bowl of strawberries, blueberries and cranberries is a great way to start your day. Oranges and pomegranates are tasty and healthy.
If you are into juicing then don’t have too much juiced fruit as this can contain too much fructose – much better to have the whole fruit as the fiber helps balance things out. Feel free to juice lots of vegetables though, particularly green, leafy ones.
Yoga and Meditation to Lower Blood Pressure
Stress and lack of exercise play a huge role in blood pressure problems. In fact, although eating foods that lower blood pressure is important, it could be argued that dealing with your stress levels is probably the most vital thing you can do for your overall health.
Regular yoga practice can help, and meditation, combined with changes in diet will give you the best opportunity to regulate your blood pressure and start regaining your health, vitality and enthusiasm for life.
