When your blood vessels are under too much pressure (140/90 mmHg or above), you have hypertension (high blood pressure). Although it is common, if untreated, it can be dangerous, states the World Health Organisation.
Those who have high blood pressure might not experience any symptoms. Getting your blood pressure checked is the only way to find out.
According to the World Health Organisation here are things that increase the risk of having high blood pressure:
- Older age
- Genetics
- Being overweight or obese
- Not being physically active
- High-salt diet
- Drinking too much alcohol
High blood pressure can be lowered by making lifestyle changes like eating healthier, giving up smoking, and becoming more active. Some patients could still require medication.
A healthy diet can help you manage high blood pressure including eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Here are a few fruits that can lower high blood pressure.
Citrus fruits
According to Healthline fruits with a citrus flavor may reduce high blood pressure. They include a wealth of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and plant chemicals, which may protect your heart by lowering risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure.
Orange and grapefruit juice may lower blood pressure when consumed. However, before including this fruit in your diet, speak with a medical practitioner because grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interfere with common blood pressure-lowering drugs, notes the health publication.
Berries
Berries can potentially lower heart disease risk factors including high blood pressure. They also provide significant health advantages. Healthline notes that the antioxidants, such as the pigments called anthocyanins, which give berries their vivid color, are abundant in berries.
Some berries that may reduce blood pressure include:
- blueberries
- raspberries
- chokeberries
- strawberries
- grapes
- cranberries
Tomatoes
Potassium and the carotenoid pigment lycopene are only two of the many nutrients that tomatoes are high in.
Eating foods high in lycopene may help lower heart disease risk factors including high blood pressure since this nutrient has been strongly connected to positive impacts on heart health states Healthline.
Banana
Potassium, which is present in bananas, can help control hypertension. A medium-sized banana has about 422 mg of sugar per serving, states Medical News Today.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), potassium reduces the effects of sodium and alleviates tension in the walls of the blood vessels.
Also see: 5 Nutritional benefits of carrots
