If you're worried maintaining lowered blood pressure might mean giving up bread, you will be thrilled to know that whole grain breads made out of whole wheat, whole rye or whole multigrain have shown to have a blood pressure lowering effect if eaten regularly.
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet both recommend including whole grains as part of a healthy diet. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should eat about 3 ounces of whole grains a day, or the equivalent of three slices of whole-wheat bread.
The underlying hypothesis of this study is that a higher frequency of intake of bread and other cereal-derived products is associated with a higher risk of elevated blood pressure (EBP).
Egg consumption has no significant effects on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults.
According to the book, 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing House, "potatoes are high in chlorogenic acid and anthocyanins, chemicals that help to lower blood pressure. The polyphenol in purple potatoes may also help." Additionally, potatoes are also a good source of potassium.
Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium but is often high in saturated fat and salt. This means eating too much could lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Yogurt by itself does not lower blood pressure or prevent hypertension. But a diet that includes nutrient-rich foods like low-fat yogurt instead of less healthy foods does combat high blood pressure. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan calls for two to three servings of low-fat dairy per day.
Milk provides approximately 350 mg of potassium per cup (11% DV) [21]. High dietary potassium intake is associated with lower BP and maintaining adequate intake of dietary potassium (>3500 mg/d) is recommended for the primary prevention of HTN by the JNC 7 [6].
Consuming rice can be beneficial in keeping your blood pressure levels in check. However, the type of rice you choose also matters. The fibre content in whole grains such as brown rice is favourable in controlling your blood pressure.
Leafy greens
Potassium helps your kidneys get rid of more sodium through your urine. This in turn lowers your blood pressure. Leafy greens, which are high in potassium, include: romaine lettuce.
Pizza. Just one slice of cheese and pepperoni pizza can contain more than half of your daily recommended dietary sodium. Heck, even if you go for the veggie version, you're still knocking your blood pressure.
Honey has been linked to beneficial effects on heart health, including reduced blood pressure and blood fat levels.
It lowers your blood pressure.
Cucumbers are a good source of potassium. Drinking cucumber water helps your body get more potassium, potentially helping to lower your blood pressure.
Caffeine may cause a short, but dramatic increase in your blood pressure, even if you don't have high blood pressure. It's unclear what causes this spike in blood pressure. The blood pressure response to caffeine differs from person to person.
It also helps lower risk of diabetes, heart disease
More good news for chocolate lovers: A new Harvard study finds that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure for people with hypertension.
The best are salmon, tuna, mackerel, lake trout, sardines and herring. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish have been shown to reduce blood pressure along with several other cardiovascular benefits. Strive for three servings a week.
Tomatoes are a good source of potassium, which also plays a role in lowering blood pressure.
Avocados are rich in potassium. Potassium helps level out your blood pressure by lowering sodium levels in your blood and easing tension in your blood vessel walls.
Broccoli. This cruciferous veggie is a good source of three blood pressure regulating minerals: magnesium, calcium and potassium. Or go for broccoli sprouts, which are high in compounds that may reduce hypertension, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Carrots are rich in phenolic compounds which are found to reduce inflammation and relax blood vessels. A study with over 2,000 people found that eating raw carrots helped to lower the group's blood pressure levels.
Go Green (and Leafy)
Fill your plate with leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, kale, or collards for a potassium boost. The mineral helps flush sodium out of your body through your pee and relaxes your blood vessel walls. Recommended daily serving: 3-6 cups (raw leafy veggies).