In this article, you will learn what foods help lower blood pressure and why. Also at the end of each section of the article it is indicated whether it is possible to eat products that lower blood pressure for hypotensive patients (some foods can be eaten, some in moderation, some are prohibited).
Food that lowers blood pressure must be present in the diet of hypertensive patients. If the pressure is slightly elevated (up to 15 mm Hg above normal), the diet can completely replace medications. In more problematic cases, diet is an adjunct treatment.
Ten foods essential for hypertensive patients (the list below is the content of the article):
The products are listed in order from most effective in dealing with high blood pressure to least effective.
1. Celery
types of celeryIt is the leader in lowering blood pressure.
It contains several components at once that are necessary to lower blood pressure:
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- vitamin
With a lack of magnesium and calcium, the tone of the vessels increases, which leads to their spasm and, as a result, to an increase in pressure.
Replenishing the amount of these substances in the body helps fight hypertension.
And vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, and increases their elasticity.
However, even more important is the content of another component in celery - 3-N-butyl-phthalide. This substance relieves spasm of blood vessels, expands them, due to which blood pressure decreases. In addition, this chemical compound reduces blood cholesterol levels by 7%.
To eliminate hypertension, consume celery juice in an amount of 100 ml per day. A stable result will come after 1-2 weeks of constant drinking of celery juice.
It is better for hypotensive patients to be careful with celery, as its excessive use can aggravate the condition. However, a few bunches of greenery every 2-3 days will not do any harm.
2. Beets
It contains potassium - a trace element useful for blood vessels.
Also, the vegetable is rich in a powerful antioxidant - ascorbic acid.
Both of these components help in the fight against hypertension.
Beets, like celery, reduce blood pressure.
To lower blood pressure by 10 mm Hg. Art., drink 400-500 ml of freshly squeezed juice of these vegetables per day.
It is better for hypotensive people not to eat beets and dishes with it.
3. Pomegranate
The juice of this fruit contains trace elements useful for the heart (potassium and magnesium), as well as vitamin C, which improves the condition of blood vessels.
In addition, pomegranate juice contains chemical compounds similar to the active ingredients of ACE inhibitors (drugs prescribed for hypertension).
In the course of research, doctors have proven that systolic blood pressure decreases by 10–20 mm Hg. Art. after a year of daily consumption of only 50 ml of pomegranate juice per day. This effect, of course, cannot be called fast, but it is quite stable and comparable even with a course of drug treatment.
Pomegranates and pomegranate juice are forbidden to be consumed on a regular basis by people with low blood pressure.
4. Citrus
Various citrus fruits All fruits of this group are rich in ascorbic acid, which protects blood vessels, improves their elasticity and helps lower blood pressure.
In addition, citrus fruits contain essential oils that thin the blood and normalize the metabolism of fats in the body.
To overcome hypertension, drink 0.5 liters of orange or grapefruit juice per day. To enhance the effect, additionally use lemon (add to tea, season salads with lemon juice).
Note! Citrus fruits and their juice are contraindicated in case of increased acidity of the stomach, gastritis and ulcers.
A few fruits every couple of days can also be eaten by hypotensive patients. But if you have low blood pressure and you are a lover of oranges and tangerines, watch your body's reaction to these foods. Periodically measure blood pressure and, in case of an even greater decrease, eliminate citrus fruits from the diet.
5. Tea
This is another answer to the question of what foods lower blood pressure. With its help, you can get rid of hypertension with its unpleasant symptoms.
Of the teas, green tea is best suited for this purpose. Slightly less effective hibiscus. Black doctors, on the contrary, do not recommend drinking with high blood pressure.
Teas reduce blood pressure due to the content:
- tannins;
- antioxidants;
- polyphenols (flavonoids, catechins).
These substances have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system: they increase the elasticity of blood vessels, relieve their spasm, and lower cholesterol.
Also, tea contains magnesium, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the heart.
To lower blood pressure, drink 2-3 cups of quality green tea a day.
Green tea is contraindicated in hypotensive patients, but black tea, on the contrary, will help increase blood pressure.
6. Cocoa
cocoa fruit Cocoa powder contains magnesium, and milk, which is also used to make the drink, contains calcium. By replenishing the lack of these elements, blood pressure can be lowered.
In addition, cocoa acts on the body as a natural antidepressant. It stimulates the production of endorphins (the so-called happiness hormones) in the body. This will help you cope better with chronic stress and thereby lower your blood pressure.
Due to this effect on the body, cocoa can not only lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients, but also increase it in hypotensive patients. Therefore, it is useful for people with any pressure disorders.
7. Milk
It helps stabilize blood pressure due to its calcium content.
If you introduce dairy products into your diet, after a few months, the pressure will drop by 3-10 mm Hg. Art.
Note! To achieve the effect, consume skim milk, it will help lower blood cholesterol levels.
Milk can also be consumed by hypotensive patients, since only an excess of calcium, and not its normal amount, can lead to a pathological decrease in pressure.
8. Bananas
They are rich in potassium, which is involved in the work of the cardiovascular system. The lack of this element often becomes one of the causes of chronic hypertension.
Eat 2-3 bananas daily, and you will slightly reduce pressure, as well as get rid of the risk of a hypertensive crisis and heart attack.
Since bananas do not significantly lower blood pressure, but rather prevent its further increase, they can also be eaten by hypotensive patients.
9. Sea fish
It is rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, which is necessary for the proper metabolism of fats in the body. The use of foods high in it cleanses the vessels of cholesterol and other harmful fats and strengthens the walls of the arteries. This will help stop the further development of hypertension.
To prevent the progression of chronic hypertension, eat trout, mackerel, salmon, salmon or sardines 1-2 times a week. The best cooking method is baking. Do not buy canned food - they contain a large amount of salt, which should not be eaten with hypertension.
Marine fish is by no means contraindicated for hypotensive patients. You can and even need to eat it if you have low blood pressure.
10. Nuts
Walnuts and almonds contain L-arginine and citrulline.
They cleanse the vessels of cholesterol and other lipids. This will help stop the progression of hypertension, atherosclerosis and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.
In addition, the substances contained in nuts prevent an increase in blood sugar levels, increase stress resistance, remove toxins from the body and have a positive effect on brain function.
Nuts are useful for both hypertensive patients and hypotensive patients, as they have a general strengthening effect on the cardiovascular system.
Despite the numerous useful properties, nuts complete our list today, because it is impossible to achieve a good hypotensive effect only with their help. They need to be included in the diet as an addition to the products listed above.
