GP recommends 5 meals that would decrease blood stress

Jul 05, 2023 at 7:42 AM
GP recommends 5 meals that would decrease blood stress

Having excessive blood pressure places you at higher danger for quite a few severe well being circumstances.

It means your coronary heart has to work tougher than normal to pump blood across the physique.

Over time this places further pressure on the blood vessels and different organs and may result in medical emergencies similar to heart attacks and strokes.

Diet is a significant contributing issue relating to your blood stress, with sure meals reducing it and others elevating it.

With this in thoughts a GP spoke completely to Express.co.uk in regards to the impact eating regimen has on blood stress.

Doctor Johannes Uys, from Broadgate General Practice in London, really useful 5 meals that would assist decrease your studying.

Leafy greens

“Vegetables like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are rich in potassium, which can help lower blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium,” he mentioned.

Sodium, which is present in salt, acts to lift blood stress because it makes the physique maintain on to water.

This water then places further stress on blood vessel partitions.

Berries

Dr Uys mentioned: “Berries, such as blueberries and strawberries, are high in flavonoids, which have been associated with a reduced risk of hypertension.”

Oats

“The soluble fibre found in oats can contribute to lower blood pressure by reducing cholesterol levels,” he defined.

Nuts and seeds

He mentioned: “These are good sources of magnesium and healthy fats, which have been linked to blood pressure reduction.”

Dark chocolate

Dr Uys added: “Consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70 percent or more) can have a positive impact on blood pressure due to its flavonoid content.”

He additionally really useful consuming hibiscus tea to carry down blood stress.

“Studies suggest that drinking hibiscus tea may have an effect in lowering blood pressure due to its natural compounds,” he mentioned.

Dr Uys additionally suggested towards consuming an excessive amount of of sure meals for the other cause.

Processed and high-sodium meals

He mentioned: “Foods like fast food, canned soups, processed meats, and salty snacks can increase sodium intake, leading to water retention and higher blood pressure.”

Caffeine

“While the impact varies with each person, too much from sources like coffee, energy drinks, or certain teas may temporarily raise blood pressure,” he warned.

High blood stress is taken into account to be from 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or 150/90mmHg if you happen to’re over the age of 80.

Healthy blood stress ranges from 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg – whereas the goal for over-80s is beneath 150/90mmHg.

The solely means to make sure of your blood stress ranges is to get examined both by your GP or with an at dwelling package.