Healing High Blood Pressure With Food - Part 1

High blood pressure is one of the top non-communicable diseases facing the world today. It is also known as hypertension. Showing you how you can combat high blood pressure with foods is the purpose of these posts. Here’s Part 1 of a two-part series that shows you what can be done to help combat high blood pressure or hypertension using foods:

Potassium is an important mineral in regulating blood pressure. It has been noted to have significant blood pressure lowering effects. Adequate intake of potassium can help to guard against circulatory diseases, like high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Association has authorized a health claim that states: "Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke." Foods high in potassium are spinach, potatoes, bananas, zucchini, tomatoes, avocados, beets, brussel sprouts, and oranges.

Phthalide (a chemical compound naturally occuring in celery) relaxes the artery muscles that regulate your blood pressure. This chemical compound allows blood vessels to dilate, taking pressure off as your blood flows more freely. The chemicals in celery also reduce stress hormone levels in your blood. Stress hormones cause your blood vessels to tighten, thus driving up your blood pressure. Recommended amount - 4 stalks per day.

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Fiber helps flush out cholesterol from your blood stream. High cholesterol levels contribute to hypertension because it clogs your arteries, making your heart work harder to pump more blood through these narrow arteries. Spinach and sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber so always have them on your menu to counter hypertension.

A study was conducted by Professor Ben Benjamin and Professor Amrita Ahluwalia of London School of Medicine has proven that Beetroot Juice is especially helpful for people who have high blood pressure. Two groups of otherwise healthy individuals who have high blood pressure were chosen and one of them was given beetroot juice to drink. The individuals were observed for some time.

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After preliminary tests it was found that the people who were given beetroot juice showed a significant normalization in their blood pressure levels. The study was published in February 2008 issue of blood pressure related journal 'Hypertension' and has proven to a large extent that any doubts which remain about vegetables not being effective against high blood pressure are just unfounded.

Stay tuned for next week's Part 2 of Healing High Blood Pressure With Food with a link to the new high blood pressure recipe e-books and a discount on them for followers of Our Fruitful Vine.

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