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Last Updated: Jan 10, 2023
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High Blood Pressure - Control it by Eating Right

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Dr. Vinay SanghiCardiologist • 30 Years Exp.FSCAI (Int Card), FACC (Card), FACP (Int Medicine), MBBS
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Health experts do believe and are promoting the same nowadays, that eating right is the best step to control high blood pressure other than regular medications. Who knows, if you are strong enough to control your lifestyle and eating habits, you may not need a long term medication after some time. The blood pressure may lower down naturally with improving health and weight.

Factors that elevate blood pressure in the body.

Before suggesting the right eatables for lowering the blood pressure, let’s look at the conditions which actually increase the blood pressure. They are:

  1. A coronary heart disease
  2. Stress
  3. Anxiety
  4. Work pressure or family and relationship troubles
  5. Obesity
  6. Cholesterol
  7. Other medical conditions like diabetes, depression, etc.
  8. Pregnancy

Each one has a toll on the body with resultant High Blood Pressure. With eating right you may gain a lot of control on the body.

Eating Right

Here are some quick tips on eating right:

  1. Avoid excess salt intake. The more salt you take, the more sodium your body gets, and as a result BP elevates. When you eat readymade snacks, packaged foods and drinks with preservatives, check the nutritional information. Most of them contain high sodium. You may stop the intake of such foods or restrict them completely.

  2. Avoid oily and junk food. Avoid food with unsaturated or trans fats. These kinds of foods straightaway add to the fat deposits of the body, and make you obese or more obese. In such cases, the obesity and increased weight build a pressure on the heart to pump more, thus elevating blood pressure.

  3. Avoid excess caffeine. Caffeine comes in the body through coffee, tea, and aerated drinks. These beverages when restricted to only 1-2 intakes per day may help you lower the BP.

  4. Quit smoking, as this puts excess pressure on the lungs to breathe and thus the heart to pump.

  5. Reduce alcohol intake: Avoid alcohol intake in excess amounts. Drinking more alcohol or frequent drinking can elevate blood pressure.

Besides there are some good foods that can always help to lower or control BP. They are:

  1. Plain, fat-free yogurt or Greek yogurt
  2. White beans
  3. Pork tenderloins
  4. Small fishes like Tilapia
  5. Bananas
  6. Oats
  7. Broccoli
  8. Bell Peppers

These food items are designed by nature to reduce blood pressure or normalize blood pressure in the body. Hence, if you are trying heart and soul to eat right, then try these in your daily food to see positive results. Besides, exercising and reducing weight are the two other important steps to take, which complement the healthy diet and eating habits to lower the blood pressure with or without medication. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a cardiologist.