Three breakfast staples to decrease blood strain – filled with potassium

Jun 30, 2023 at 7:15 AM
Three breakfast staples to decrease blood strain – filled with potassium

It is believed round one in three adults within the UK has excessive blood pressure, though many individuals won’t bear in mind.

The situation means your coronary heart is working more durable than it ought to need to as a way to pump blood across the physique.

This places additional pressure in your blood vessels and organs, which over time may end up in critical medical emergencies.

In truth, hypertension is the only greatest threat issue for strokes and can even result in heart attacks, kidney failure and even vascular dementia.

Therefore protecting your blood strain at a wholesome degree is significant.

Diet is a key driver in your blood strain ranges. Specifically, salt is thought to be one of many main causes of hypertension.

This is as a result of sodium makes the physique maintain on to water, placing strain on blood vessel partitions.

Alongside chopping again in your salt consumption there may be one other approach to assist scale back the influence of sodium on the physique.

Eating foods high in potassium can lower blood pressure as the mineral works to remove sodium.

It additionally helps chill out blood vessel partitions, permitting blood to circulate.

The American Heart Association explains: “Foods that are rich in potassium are important in managing high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, because potassium lessens the effects of sodium.

“The more potassium you eat, the more sodium you lose through urine.

“Potassium also helps to ease tension in your blood vessel walls, which helps further lower blood pressure.”

There are three meals and drinks generally consumed at breakfast with excessive ranges of potassium, to assist decrease your blood strain ranges very first thing within the morning.

These are:

  • Avocados
  • Plain yoghurt
  • Orange juice.

Avocados

According to the Cleveland Clinic, half an avocado comprises round 364 milligrams (mg) of potassium.

“As if you needed another reason to reach for the guacamole, a half-cup serving of creamy avocado contains about 364mg of potassium,” it says.

“From fruit salad to avocado toast, a fancy fish dinner to a bowl of tomatoey spaghetti, there are so many great ways to get your fill of potassium.

“Your health — and your taste buds — will thank you.”

Plain yoghurt

Healthline explains that consuming plain yoghurt has a number of well being advantages.

It says: “Yoghurt is a great source of calcium, riboflavin and potassium.

“One cup (245 grams) of this creamy treat provides you with 380mg of potassium.”

Orange juice

According to Medical News Today, a cup of contemporary orange juice might include as a lot as 496mg of potassium.

And the Fruit Juice Science Centre provides: “A small glass (150ml) of 100 percent orange juice provides around 7.5 percent of daily potassium needs.

“Since the relationship between potassium and blood pressure is well established, it stands to reason that foods which are a good source of potassium, such as 100 percent orange juice, may be beneficial to heart health.”