How to Choose Foods That Lower Blood Pressure

There are plenty of foods that can lower blood pressure out there that can be easily incorporated into your diet, helping you avoid expensive prescriptions and the dangerous side effects that come along with them. These foods also tend to be not only delicious, but very healthy and full of all manner of vitamins and minerals that your body needs in order to function better and for better overall health. Before thinking that foods that lower blood pressure have to be exotic, foreign vegetables, read on to discover hypertension cures that you may already have in your kitchen.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Garlic – Garlic is one of the most powerful foods that lower blood pressure on the planet. Garlic functions as a natural blood thinner, and works very quickly. It also increases the body’s production of nitric oxide, a compound which is known to relax blood vessels.

2. Spinach – Spinach contains both folate and magnesium, two nutrients that are very good for hypertension. It is also incredibly easy to work into any diet. It can be eaten raw as a salad or as an addition to sandwiches or wraps. It can also be sautéed with a little oil and garlic to make a delicious hot side dish that works very well with our next ingredient.

3. Fish – Primarily fatty cold water fish, to be exact. When combating any major medical condition, the first things people tend to vilify are fats. This does more harm than good, because the body needs some measure of fats in order to function properly. Fish are filled with omega 3 fatty acids, which are very good for the heart. Sushi and sashimi are a great way to add fish to the diet, but if you prefer your foods that lower blood pressure a little more cooked, you can always grill them or add tuna salad made with a little olive oil into your diet.

4. Tomatoes – Tomatoes are full of healthy vitamins and minerals that are very beneficial for your health. Besides containing calcium and magnesium, both of which are known to be very good for hypertension, tomatoes are also full of antioxidants. Tomatoes can be added to sandwiches, wraps, sliced and eaten raw, cooked and combined with other foods that lower blood pressure, or even juiced for a healthy breakfast beverage.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be on the lookout for unnecessary sodium. High salt intake contributes to fluid retention, which increases hypertension.
• Choose whole, raw ingredients whenever possible and cook them in your own home. Pre-prepared food may contain extra sodium or other preservatives.