Blood pressure lowering foods

The problem of hypertension affects many people. High blood pressure is not only a feeling of being unwell, headaches, dizziness, constant fatigue, tinnitus, but also the risk of getting a stroke or heart attack. Hypertensive patients usually take medications daily to normalize blood pressure. Certain foods can also help lower it.

What foods lower blood pressure?

It is impossible to completely replace medications with products that lower blood pressure, but you can use their properties, such as the ability to dilate blood vessels, calm the nervous system, prevent the deposition of cholesterol plaques, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and the heart muscle for a comprehensive solution to the problem. What products will help in the fight against hypertension?

Honey to lower blood pressure

Honey is used in folk recipes as a means of regulating blood pressure. How does it work? It is primarily a carbohydrate, the sweet taste of which gives us pleasure, which means that impulses from the taste buds have reached the hypothalamus. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which has a relaxing effect on organs and systems, including dilation of blood vessels - a necessary factor for reducing blood pressure.

The bee product is especially effective in tandem with other products characterized by the same properties (garlic, beets, cinnamon, etc.). [ 1 ]

Viburnum for lowering blood pressure

Viburnum is usually used for colds, it speeds up recovery, because it contains a large amount of vitamin C, flavonoids. But it also has a diuretic effect, which has a positive effect on the normalization of blood pressure, and thanks to polyunsaturated fatty acids, it prevents the deposition of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels, preventing the development of atherosclerosis.

Viburnum is not suitable for everyone, it is contraindicated for people with increased blood clotting, a tendency to thrombosis, and pregnant women. It also increases the acidity of the stomach, which can cause an exacerbation of hyperacid gastritis. [ 2 ]

Beetroot for lowering blood pressure

Beetroot, and especially beetroot juice, copes well with the problem of high blood pressure. Experts explain this by its chemical composition, among the components of which there are substances that are transformed during metabolism into nitric oxide. It is this that has the property of expanding blood vessels and, accordingly, reducing blood pressure.

The root vegetable will also benefit other organs: the liver, gastrointestinal tract, hematopoiesis. But it also has contraindications. It is not recommended to abuse beets in diabetes, and concentrated juices will harm the pancreas with a diagnosis of pancreatitis. [ 3 ]

Cinnamon to lower blood pressure

Cinnamon is used in confectionery as a spice because of its strong specific aroma. But it is also very useful for the body, because it contains many vitamins (A, B, E, K, PP), coumarin, aldehydes, tannins, microelements: magnesium, zinc, sodium, iron, calcium, selenium.

The spice stimulates lipid metabolism, reduces the level of unhealthy low-density cholesterol, and antioxidants make the walls of blood vessels more elastic, expand blood flow. To achieve the effect, it is enough to eat a teaspoon of cinnamon per day, but not in its pure form, but as an additive to dishes and drinks. Its effect will be enhanced by combining it with honey and a small amount of water. [ 4 ]

Oil for reducing pressure

Essential oils help in the fight against hypertension. A person in a relaxed and calm state is less susceptible to pressure surges, this is the effect of aromatherapy, massage with oils, baths with its addition.

The most suitable essential oils for procedures are ylang-ylang, obtained from the tropical plant cananga, as well as lavender and lemon. Their aroma helps to cope with stress, relieves nervousness, vascular spasms, and calms the heartbeat.

Rose hips to lower blood pressure

Rose hips are a real treasure trove of useful substances for the body, they will also be useful for hypertension. In addition to the anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, choleretic, tonic effect, the plant strengthens the heart muscle, capillaries, increases vascular tone, and counteracts atherosclerosis.

The only condition for lowering blood pressure is not to use an alcohol tincture, but to prepare a decoction or infusion from dried or fresh berries. For the decoction, take 20 g of raw material per glass of water, boil for 10-15 minutes under a lid and leave to infuse overnight. Making an infusion is even easier: lightly crush the berries, put them in a thermos, pour boiling water over them (40 g of rose hips per liter of water) and leave for about 8 hours. Take the potion half a glass twice a day before meals. [ 5 ]

Vegetables to Lower Blood Pressure

Vegetables rich in antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, other useful microelements, vitamins, and fiber have a beneficial effect on stabilizing blood pressure. In addition to beets, which have already been discussed and are number one on the list, doctors recommend including fresh cucumbers in the diet (they have a diuretic effect and cleanse blood vessels), baked potatoes (white varieties), garlic, beans, carrots, soybeans, and spinach.

Dill to lower blood pressure

Dill is not only a pleasant spice used to add a special aroma to dishes, but also a medicine, because it contains the necessary substances to improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system: vitamins A, B, C, E; potassium, which plays a major role in the occurrence and transmission of nerve impulses, maintaining water-electrolyte balance, normalizing blood pressure; magnesium, which increases vascular tone, stabilizes heart rhythm, and promotes the absorption of potassium ions.

Dill (green part, seeds) also reduces blood viscosity, the level of “bad” cholesterol, improves blood microcirculation, prevents hypertensive crises, life-threatening diagnoses – stroke, heart attack. [ 6 ]

The plant is good to add to various dishes, and also to drink decoctions and infusions.

It is best to collect the seeds yourself for winter use. The most suitable period for this is the second half of August, when there is no greenery and the umbrellas have dried out.

Drinks that lower blood pressure

You need to be careful with drinks, because some can lower blood pressure, while others, on the contrary, can provoke a jump and worsen the condition. What should a hypertensive person choose?

Tea for lowering blood pressure – you will have to give up black varieties, but you can drink green. One or two cups a day will not give an immediate result, but its systematic consumption for several months will bear fruit and reduce the indicators by at least 10 units, this has been established experimentally.

It is brewed weakly, without steeping for a long time. The caffeine contained in it in small quantities will relax and dilate blood vessels, and catechins will thin the blood, which is also useful for bringing it back to normal, in addition, it is a diuretic.

Another necessary condition is the use of high-quality varieties, and Chinese tea meets these requirements. Buying varieties such as "Long Jing", "Bi Lo Chun", "Hua Long Zhu", "Gunpowder" and brewing them correctly, you can significantly reduce the severity of the problem, without ignoring the doctor's orders and taking medications, if this is not the initial stage of hypertension.

Hibiscus tea to lower blood pressure

Dried hibiscus flowers are called karkade and, brewed, they drink it as tea. This tradition has reached us from Egypt, Malaysia, Sudan, especially in hot seasons of the year. It quenches thirst well, tones, and also strengthens the walls of blood vessels, has a diuretic, antispasmodic effect, which is important for normalizing blood pressure. Only it should be drunk chilled, otherwise it will have the opposite effect.

Hibiscus contains many vitamins, amino acids, macro- and microelements, bioflavonoids. Therefore, the drink will serve well not only for hypertension, but also for vitamin deficiency, low resistance of the body to infections. [ 7 ]

It is prepared not before taking it directly, but in advance, it can be like a compote. The flower petals are placed in a vessel, filled with water, maintaining a ratio of 2 teaspoons per glass, and boiled for 10 minutes, after cooling, stored in the refrigerator.

To treat hypertension, it is recommended to drink tea in courses of 2-3 weeks, then take a week's break and repeat for 10 days.

Herbal tea to lower blood pressure

Herbal teas are convenient because, knowing their healing effect, you can combine different plants to get the result. Blood pressure is no exception. In pharmacies, you can buy special collections that contain components that have this property. These can be flowers, leaves, seeds, rhizomes, fruits of plants.

They usually have a vasodilatory, diuretic, normalizing effect on the central and peripheral nervous systems. Thyme, chamomile, black currant, motherwort, linden, nettle, valerian root, lemon balm, mint, chicory, caraway, fennel are quite deservedly involved in the combination.

For a glass of boiling water you will need a tablespoon of raw material. After infusing for half an hour, drink half a glass 2 times a day.

Cognac to lower blood pressure

Some will be categorical - alcohol can only harm with high blood pressure, others will say the opposite, they say, it reduces the tone of blood vessels, dilates them. Who is right? It turns out that it's all about the amount drunk. A good cognac in a volume of 30-50 ml will relieve vascular spasm, reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood. This effect is provided by the presence of tannins and tannins in the drink.

Exceeding this threshold and bringing it to 80-100 ml, you get the opposite effect, because alcohol makes the heart contract faster, pump a larger volume of blood, and has a stimulating effect on the nervous system.

Wine to lower blood pressure

There are many different types of wines, the raw materials for which can be grapes, other fruits, herbs. There are dry, fortified, sweet, semi-sweet, carbonated, young, aged varieties, white, pink, red. Research of medical statistics data from countries whose culture includes winemaking and a glass of wine with dinner prove that red dry natural grape wine is good for health and reduces cases of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular pathologies.

Made from red and blue grape varieties, it contains vitamins A, C, E, B, PP, iron, potassium, phosphorus, iodine, magnesium. It also contains many antioxidant substances, flavonoids: resveratrol, which improves the condition of the endothelium - the inner layer of blood vessels, preventing their narrowing, the deposition of cholesterol plaques; tannins, which strengthen blood vessels; anthocyanins, which reduce the risk of heart disease. [ 8 ]

At the same time, wine will be beneficial if you do not exceed the daily dose of 50-100 ml and limit its strength to 11.5%. Anything unnatural with the addition of ethyl alcohol will lead to pressure surges.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Lowering Blood Pressure

This product is also used to reduce pressure, but never taken internally. Apple cider vinegar is used for compresses. Mix it with water, soak a cloth napkin in the solution, squeeze it out slightly and apply it to the soles of the feet. Together with soothing drops, this guarantees a quick reduction in the indicators.

Coffee to lower blood pressure

Scientists' research debunks the myth that coffee is absolutely forbidden for hypertensive patients. Natural ground coffee increased blood pressure by only a few notches for a short time, then it returned to its original position. [ 9 ]

Experiments with a soluble product showed a different picture. It is produced using technologies that increase the content of cafestol in the powder, which worsens the condition of blood vessels. It is this that should be abandoned.

A cup of natural drink in the morning will help you wake up and dive into your daily activities without harm to your health, if you do not drink coffee during the day. [ 10 ]

Hawthorn for lowering blood pressure

Hawthorn is present in many preparations intended to normalize heart rhythm, stabilize the nervous system, reduce excitability, blood pressure, and combat insomnia. The fruits of the plant improve blood circulation in the vessels and enhance the energy supply to the heart muscle.

The plant owes its medicinal properties to the presence of unsaturated fatty and organic acids, carotene, many vitamins and minerals, tannins, and essential oils.

You can use it in ready-made form, buying it in pharmacies, or prepare decoctions according to this recipe: pour 20 g of fruit in a thermos with a glass of boiling water overnight, strain in the morning. Drink a tablespoon 2-3 times a day for 3-4 weeks. [ 11 ]

Pomegranate juice to lower blood pressure

In addition to excellent taste and many useful qualities resulting from the rich chemical composition, pomegranate contains a large number of phenolic compounds, which exceed their content in wine and green tea. They provide its hypotensive properties, strengthen blood vessels and the heart muscle.

Pomegranate juice could be drunk without restrictions, if not for its impressive list of contraindications. It is too sour due to the presence of organic acids in it to be “pleased” by the stomach, pancreas, intestines. It can also cause constipation and damage tooth enamel.

If there are no factors prohibiting its use, then it is best to prepare it yourself from ripe and juicy fruits. [ 12 ]

Products that lower blood pressure immediately

It is dangerous to rely on products to sharply reduce blood pressure at high levels, but it is very reasonable to approach the problem comprehensively. Thus, products rich in potassium will help remove sodium from the body, which increases blood pressure. Thus, a glass of milk can reduce blood pressure by several points.

These properties of products will help women during pregnancy, who often face such a problem. Including egg whites, baked potatoes, boiled beet salads, broccoli, bananas, pomegranates, oatmeal in the diet can reduce the risk of hypertensive crises and return the pressure to normal, not forgetting to keep it under control.