High blood pressure or also known as hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attack andstroke which are the first and third leading cause of death in the world. Hence, it is necessary for us to prevent high blood pressure by keeping the blood pressure in a normal range.
The normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, where 120 issystolic pressure (as the heart beats) and 80 is diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). If your blood pressure is between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHG, then it is a prehypertension, meaning you don’t have hypertension but you are likely to develop it. If it is above 140/90 mmHg then it is a hypertension.
There are plenty of ways that can help you to reduce high blood pressure such as being physical active, control weight, and avoid smoking. But do not forget what we eat also affect our blood pressure. By including some foods below into your diet, can really help in keeping your weight under control, reducing high blood pressure and improving your overall health.
Carrot Carrots are high in potassium and beta-carotene which have been shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure that can lead to heart disease. Carrot juice helps maintain normal blood pressure by regulating heart and kidney functions.
Avocados The oleic acid found in avocados can reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They also contain potassium and folate, which both essential for heart health.
Bananas This tasty fruit is not only can boost our energy but it also useful in helping to prevent heart disease. Studies show that one banana a day is enough to help reduce high blood pressure.
Broccoli Sulforaphane Glucosinolate (SGS), a naturally-occurring compound found in broccoli helpreduce high blood pressure as well as cardiovascular disease and stroke risk.
Cabbage Cabbage is high in a chemical compound called glutamic acid, which help in reducing blood pressure. Glutamic acid is the most common amino acid and accounts for almost a quarter of vegetable protein and nearly a fifth of animal protein.
Celery Oriental medicine practitioners have long used celery for reducing high blood pressure. There is some experimental evidence which shows that celery is useful for this. A research has shown that eating as few as four celery stalks a day can reduce high blood pressure. However, celery contains sodium and other compounds that may have side effects when consumed in large amounts.
Dark chocolate Dark chocolate is not only tasty, but it also good for our health. A recent study found that eating a small amounts of dark chocolate every day lowered the systolic blood pressure by 2.9mm Hg and diastolic by 1.9mm Hg. The key of dark chocolate’s effect is flavanols that present in the cocoa. Not all chocolate will do, you need to buy a good quality of dark chocolate that has 60 to 70 percent of cocoa.
Garlic Eating one of clove of garlic a day was found have beneficial effects on controlling hypertension. In a study observed, people with high blood pressure who were given one clove of garlic a day for 12 weeks, their diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels are significantly reduced.
Onion Like garlic, onions are also useful in managing hypertension. The sulfur-containing compounds in onions have been shown to reduce high blood pressure. It is not surprising because onion is a cousin of garlic.
Potatoes The health benefits of potatoes are often overlooked because it is usually served in unhealthy ways, such as French fries, or potato chips. But in fact, potatoes are an excellent source of fiber and potassium which have been proven to reduce blood pressure.
Spinach Spinach is high in magnesium and potassium, which not only offer protection against heart disease, but also can reduce blood pressure. Apart from that, the folate in spinach can protect the body from accumulating excess homocysteine. Studies have indicated that high levels of homocysteine can cause heart attacks and strokes.
Sunflower seeds Sunflower seeds contain phytosterols, which can reduce cholesterol levels in the body. High cholesterol is a well-known contributor to high blood pressure because it can cause blockage of blood vessels. However, make sure that you are using fresh sunflower seeds.
Soy The isoflavones found in soy have been proven provided a number of health benefits for human body. One of them is help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Tomatoes Tomatoes are an excellent source of potassium which are known effective to reduce high blood pressure.
Saffron Saffron is a very popular spice in Arabic cooking. A compound called crocetin contained on it is known can reduce the blood pressure.
Spices Spices such as black pepper, fennel and basil have active ingredients that are beneficial in hypertension. Use them in your cooking can help reduce high blood pressure.
Salmon Salmon is high in omega 3 fatty acid which helps to reduce blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels and thus reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Skim Milk Skim milk is a good weight loss diet. Apart from being a good source of protein, skim milk also contains calcium and vitamin D, the two nutrients that work as a team to help reduce blood pressure by 3 to 10 percent. Although not as much as other foods listed, it still useful in helping to improve overall cardiovascular health.
Oats Oats and oat bran contain a specific type of fiber known as beta-glucan which have been shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Eating a serving of oats at least 6 times each week is an especially good idea for postmenopausal women with high cholesterol, high blood pressure or other signs of cardiovascular disease.
Green tea Many evidence have showed that Green Tea can help reduce high blood pressure risk. A study conducted in Taiwan found that people who drank at least 20 ounces (600 ml.) of green tea daily for at least one year had 65% lower risk of high blood pressure than those who do not.
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