High blood pressure: Four foods to add to your diet to help lower blood ...

High blood pressure: Four foods to add to your diet to help lower blood pressure

HIGH BLOOD pressure can often be lowered simply by making dietary changes, removing the need for medication. Including these four foods in you diet may help ensure your blood pressure remains at a healthy level, or lower it if it is already high.

One of the most common causes of high blood pressure is eating too much salt, so cutting down on the popular foodstuff is one way to reduce your reading.

As well as cutting down on unhealthy foods, it could also be worth adding certain types of others foods to your diet, which contain properties that can help lower blood pressure.

Here are four foods that may help lower blood pressure:

1. Beetroot

Beetroot is high in nitric oxide, which helps to widen blood vessels, according to medical website Healthline.

This helps blood to flow more easily through the blood vessels, which may help to blood pressure.

2. Leafy greens

Leafy greens like kale, romaine lettuce and spinach are rich in potassium, which helps get rid of sodium in the urine.

Potassium works with the kidneys to balance the level of salt and water in the body. As salt is a common contributor of high blood pressure, potassium can help to remove it from the body.

3. Bananas

Like leafy greens, bananas have a high potassium content, helping to keep blood pressure healthy.

4. Porridge

Oats are high in fibre, low in fat and low in sodium, providing a filling, healthy meal, and a good alternative to a fried breakfast.

Oats also contain beta-glucan, which can lower cholesterol levels in the body, which too prevents heart problems.