Over 1 billion people around the world are living with hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. This medical condition is dangerous as it increases the risk of stroke and heart disease if left uncontrolled. That’s why you should make sure that you treat your high blood pressure to prevent those fatal diseases that are caused by it.
Most people with hypertension resort to prescription drugs, such as Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics, beta blockers, among others, to control their blood pressure. These medications are proven effective. However, lifestyle modifications and natural remedies still play a more significant role to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.
If you shift to a healthier way of life and eat nutritious foods, you might avoid or reduce your need for medication. For a little help, here are some natural remedies for your high blood pressure.
Exercise Regularly
Doing regular exercise is one of the best ways to reduce high blood pressure. Exercise strengthens the heart and makes it more effective at pumping blood, which in turn controls the pressure in the arteries.
You can do a 3-hour moderate exercise or an hour of vigorous physical activity weekly to reach an ideal blood pressure and improve your overall health. You can walk, jog, run, or anything that sweats you out and gives you a cardio boost.
Partake in a Diet of Berries
Berries are not only juicy and delicious, but they are also abundant in polyphenols that can improve your heart health.
One study has shown that people with hypertension achieved an optimal blood pressure level after eating a polyphenol-rich diet that includes berries. So in your next meal, it’s a must that you include a plateful of berries to lower your blood pressure.
Eat Foods That are Rich in Potassium
Potassium is a mineral that helps the body to eliminate sodium and relieve pressure on the blood vessels.
Most of the foods that we eat today have a high sodium content. So to keep a balanced diet, we need to avoid eating processed foods and start eating foods that are rich in potassium.
You should include bananas, oranges, melons, avocados, apricots, beans, nuts, salmon, tuna, milk, and yogurt in your diet because they can help reduce blood pressure.
Incorporate a Healthy CBD
More countries are shifting over time to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes and other cannabis plant derivatives, which implies more individuals across the U.S.
According to studies, one of the main advantages to consider when using CBD to reduce blood pressure is that it doesn’t only targets your hypertension, it also functions to reduce anxiety, alleviate insomnia, help in weight loss, and cure any pain you may have in your body.
The average person who struggles from high blood pressure is usually given a range of medicines to combat the symptoms of high blood pressure.
And these toxic medications can have adverse effects on their general health over time, this is the driving force behind individuals switching to CBD for their health problems, as it heals all aspects of hypertension naturally.
Include Calcium-Rich Foods in Your Diet
Most people with hypertension have lower calcium intake than those who aren’t living with this medical condition.
Foods that are high in calcium can keep your blood pressure at a normal level. Dairy products, beans, tofu, sardines, leafy greens, and collard greens are known to be rich in calcium.
For people under 50, it’s advisable to take 1,000 mg of calcium intake daily. For men and women over 50, the recommended calcium intake is 1,200 mg per day.
Eat a Decent Amount of Dark Chocolate
We all know that eating huge amounts of chocolate is not good for the heart, but munching a little bit of it can be great. The reason lies in the fact that dark chocolate contains flavonoids, a type of antioxidant which can help the normal flow of blood by dilating the blood vessels.
A study has shown that there’s a link between flavonoids and normal blood pressure. It can also improve your heart health if you take a certain amount of it regularly.
What You Should Avoid to Prevent Hypertension
- Reduce sodium intake
- Processed foods
- Cut back on sugar
- Stop smoking
- Don’t drink alcoholic beverages
- Avoid eating refined carbs
- Avoid stress
Takeaway
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a medical condition that’s not to be taken lightly. That’s why you should see to it that you live a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet to keep optimal blood pressure or control hypertension. You can take some of the natural remedies above for that purpose.
