Yoga Articles Diet for diseases
List of Foods And Herbs That Lower Blood Pressure Naturally
Submitted by Kevin Pederson on February 15, 2012
Blood pressure is the force or the pressure of blood, exerted by the circulating blood, within the arteries, as the heart pumps out blood. If this pressure rises and stays high for a while, it can cause serious harm to the body, affecting the heart, kidneys, blood vessels and other parts. It is important to...
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...know your blood pressure reading, even when you are feeling fine because if it rises, you need to bring it under control, to prevent damage to your body. There are many ways to keep blood pressure under control like taking the right medication, exercising, getting a lot of rest and relaxation and maintaining a healthy diet. People suffering from high blood pressure need to cut down on their intake of sugar, salt and other fatty food. To improve their blood pressure levels, they should make sure that they include magnesium, potassium and fiber. To improve your overall eating plan, try the DASH diet. The full form of DASH is - 'Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension'.
Given below, is a list of foods that can be eaten frequently, to improve blood pressure levels:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are low in calories and sodium and high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidant. Moreover, filling up on fruits and vegetables helps you stay away from unhealthy junk food like chips, cookies, etc.
- Skimmed milk is high in calcium and vitamin D, which can reduce blood pressure by about 3 - 10 percent.
- Lean meat, chicken and turkey (without the skin) and fish are all high in protein an low in calories.
- Pita bread, bagels, whole-wheat or multi-grain bread, English muffins, as whole-grains reduce the risk of heart diseases. Cereals that are low in sodium and sugar like brown rice and whole-wheat pasta are also good choices.
- Spices and herbs, add flavor to the food without increasing intake of sodium. Therefore spices such as parsley, garlic, vinegar, onion, and oregano help stabilize blood pressure.
- Use margarine (instead of butter and oil), as it is low in salt and is quite healthy.
- Eating about half an ounce of dark chocolate has been known to reduce blood pressure, without much weight gain.
- Different types of beans (like kidney, pinto, lima, navy, black and white) as well as unsalted-sunflower seeds are loaded with magnesium, which is a vital ingredient.
Maintaining a healthy diet is only one part of bringing blood pressure in control. Proper monitoring, exercising and medication are all very important factors too.
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