High blood pressure, or hypertension as it is sometimes called, can quietly damage the body for years before symptoms develop.
If your blood pressure gets too high or stays high for a long time, it can cause health problems.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure puts you at a higher risk for stroke, heart disease, heart attack and kidney failure.
Treatment and lifestyle changes can help control high blood pressure to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
Food and diet will always be factors that either help or hinder high blood pressure, but two surprising foods have been shown to be effective in helping to lower your reading.
The British Nutrition Foundation's 10th Healthy Eating Week takes place this week.
Making changes to your diet is a proven way to help with a number of health conditions including helping to control high blood pressure.
These changes can also help you lose weight and lower your chance of heart disease and stroke.
Food to help lower your blood pressure
Celery juice
One of the compounds in celery thought to be responsible for blood pressure reductions is the phytochemical phthalide.
There is evidence that as an extract, the compound can relax the tissues inside the artery walls, allowing more blood to flow through.
Nitrites, also found in abundance in celery, are beneficial for similar reasons.
In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, blood pressure change after celery juice in hypertensive elderly men was investigated.
The research involved a 74-year-old suffering with hypertension who underwent interventions, which included a daily intake of celery juice for over six months.
Researchers noted a marked improved in his blood pressure reading.
The study concluded that celery and celery juice could be used as a treatment for hypertension after the patient “responded positively.”
Blackcurrants
Blackcurrants are good for your heart.
The fruit is said to be rich in anthocyanins, which help protect cells.
In a study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, older adults who took a blackcurrant extract supplement were found to have reduced stiffness and blood pressure.
Foods to cut down on if you have high blood pressure are high volumes of:
- Salty foods
- Sugary foods
- Red meat
- Sugary drinks
- Alcohol
- Saturated fats
- Processed and pre-packaged foods
- Condiments
