High blood pressure: Eat these six foods to help lower your BP reading
HIGH BLOOD pressure can be caused or worsened by following a bad diet. In order to prevent complications, it’s important to keep blood pressure at a healthy level. Eat these six foods to improve your diet and help lower your BP reading.
High blood pressure: NHS doctor explains causes
High blood pressure, or hypertension, happens when the pressure of blood in the body is too high.
This puts extra strain on the blood vessels, which can lead to serious complications like heart attacks and strokes.
Following a poor diet can cause high blood pressure, especially eating too much salt and saturated fat.
As well as cutting down on foods which are high in salt and saturated fat, include these six foods into your diet to ensure healthy blood pressure.
High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by eating healthily
Leafy greens
Leafy greens like kale, romaine lettuce and spinach are rich in potassium, which helps get rid of sodium in the urine.
Getting rid of sodium from the body can help lower blood pressure.
Bananas
Like leafy greens, bananas have a high potassium content, helping to keep blood pressure healthy.
Beetroot
Beetroot is high in nitric oxide, which helps to open blood vessels, according to medical website Healthline.
This helps blood to flow more easily through the vessels, lowering blood pressure.
Low-fat yoghurt
Low-fat yoghurt is a good source of calcium, and due to its low-fat content means it won’t add unnecessary calories to your diet.
Porridge
Oats are high in fibre, low in fat and low in sodium, providing a filling, healthy meal.
Oats are also good for lowering cholesterol, which too prevents heart problems.
Fish
Salmon, mackerel and other fish which are are high in omega 3 can help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation.
They are also a good source of lean protein.
“High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and not smoking,” said the NHS.