Herbal medicine for many years has been an effective way to combat the manifestations of arterial hypertension. But along with medicines and herbs, a fruit and vegetable diet is used to treat this disease. Therefore, people who suffer from hypertension should eat fruits that lower blood pressure. It is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the list of such fruits in more detail, as well as consider what their benefits to the body are.
The benefits of fruits and vegetables
The main reason for the increase in blood pressure is fluid retention in the human body, as well as a lack of potassium salts in the diet. Before proceeding with the medical treatment of arterial hypertension, experts recommend adjusting their diet. First of all, fruits that lower blood pressure should be included in the diet. If you use them daily, then the following positive dynamics will be observed:
- Potassium, which is found in fruits that lower blood pressure, has a diuretic effect and also leaches sodium from the body, which, in turn, is the main cause of fluid retention.
- Vessels, which are negatively affected by high blood pressure, begin to return to normal, and the function of the cardiovascular system improves.
- When eating fruits that lower blood pressure, normal kidney function.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that overweight is an important factor in the development of hypertension. Since fruits that lower blood pressure contain a small amount of fat, these products are the main component of the diet, which is prescribed for people who are overweight.
Due to the high content of vitamins and minerals in fruits, they have a beneficial effect on all vital organs in the body.
Daily rate
Do not deny the positive effects of fruits on the human body. If there is a deficiency of useful trace elements and substances in it, then this will adversely affect the function of some organs. But an overabundance of such trace elements is undesirable. Before answering the question of which fruits lower blood pressure, we draw your attention to the fact that the recommended daily dosage of potassium should be taken into account.
For an adult, about three grams of potassium salts are needed per day. As for the normal dose for children, it depends on the age and weight of the child. To calculate take 15 mg of potassium salt per kilogram of body weight. For example, if the child’s weight is 15 kg, then the daily norm of this element should be 0.4 g. It is necessary to increase this norm only in some cases. These include:
- intense and frequent physical activity;
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- mental hard work.
The daily rate of salt and potassium will depend on individual characteristics, as well as on the sodium content in the human body. In order to maintain an optimal balance and normalize metabolism, it is necessary to observe the ratio of sodium and potassium salts, which should normally be two to one.
Vegetables, berries, fruits, reducing blood pressure
We have known about the benefits of berries and fruits since the days of school and kindergarten. But which fruits lower blood pressure? Before you consider these berries and fruits separately, you should pay attention to the fact that their use is indicated for those patients who suffer from cardiovascular complications and arterial hypertension. Below are the berries and fruits, under reduced pressure, which should be consumed with caution.
Bananas
The main factor in eating these fruits is the high content of potassium salts in bananas. A lack of this substance can cause an increase in blood pressure. If you adhere to a diet that is rich in potassium salts, then you can maintain normal blood pressure. Scientists have proven that this fruit has a positive effect on the human body, which suffers from hypertension. One hundred grams of banana contains a daily norm of potassium salts, which is 345 mg.
Citrus fruits
Speaking about which fruit lowers blood pressure and contains potassium salts, one should mention citruses (lemon, orange, grapefruit, tangerines, citron, etc.). These fruits contain all the nutrients necessary to maintain pressure. In parallel, citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, due to which the elasticity of blood vessels is restored, the amount of bad cholesterol is reduced, and blood pressure indicators return to normal. If ascorbic acid deficiency is observed in the body, then arterial hypertension can become chronic.
Berries
It is necessary to eat not only fruits that lower blood pressure, but also berries. These include: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries. These foods contain potassium, as well as vitamin C and complex carbohydrates, which effectively lower blood pressure. The composition of these berries contains pigment substances that are part of the glycoside group. Scientists have found that regular (daily) use of blueberries or strawberries reduces the risk of hypertension by fifteen percent. And the anthocyanidins that are contained in the berries lower blood pressure, while strengthening the walls of the vessels. Eating these berries also helps prevent the accumulation of bad cholesterol in the human body.
Alligator Pear
Considering which fruit lowers blood pressure, an avocado should be included in the list. This fruit belongs to those foods that have a positive effect on the human body with high blood pressure. Experts recommend using avocados to those people who are at risk for developing arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. Avocados contain much more potassium salts than, for example, bananas. And thanks to the content of saturated acids, the use of an alligator pear has a beneficial effect on the condition of CCC, as well as on the work of the whole human body as a whole. Doctors recommend that all people who suffer from hypertension be included in the daily diet of avocados.
Leafy vegetables
When asked what vegetables and fruits lower blood pressure, leafy vegetables should be mentioned. Arugula, as well as all varieties of spinach and cabbage, can be consumed as diet food for those people who suffer from hypertension. These vegetables contain a large amount of potassium and magnesium. They have a beneficial effect on the function of the heart and the entire vascular system, which reduces blood pressure. A characteristic feature of magnesium is that this trace element improves the absorption of potassium salts in the human body. Potassium, magnesium, as well as calcium are the elements responsible for the smooth operation of the heart.
Beet
The list of vegetables and fruits that lower blood pressure includes beets. A glass of freshly squeezed vegetable juice lowers blood pressure. A positive effect can be achieved within 3.5 hours after eating the product. Beetroot is able to maintain its healing properties throughout the day. Those minerals that are contained in this vegetable are able to regulate blood pressure and also have a vasodilating effect. The composition of this vegetable also contains minerals that are required for the proper functioning of the heart muscle and to maintain a normal pressure indicator. Such minerals, as already mentioned, include magnesium, calcium and potassium.
Legumes
Chickpeas, beans and peas can also lower blood pressure. The protein that is part of these products helps fight arterial hypertension, as well as an advanced form of some pathological changes in the kidneys. Such anomalies are closely interconnected, chronic kidney diseases act as a factor contributing to the development of various pathologies that increase blood pressure. Kidney dysfunction can lead to the delay of toxic elements and substances, as well as decay products that go out with urine. Legumes also contain elements and compounds necessary for the human body: magnesium, potassium salts, calcium. People suffering from hypertension need to balance the intake of these trace elements in the body, as they are able to assist with the support of normal pressure indicators. In addition, they reduce the likelihood of developing a stroke, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction.
Raisins, Nuts, Hard Cheeses
These products are also able to strengthen the heart muscle, tone the human nervous system. Raisins, nuts and hard cheeses effectively deal with such unpleasant symptoms of arterial hypertension as severe headaches and overwork.
Additional Tips for Stabilizing Blood Pressure
Vegetables, berries and fruits are the foundation that gives vitality and beauty to the human body. To lower the blood pressure and minimize the intensity of the symptoms of hypertension, few fruits and vegetables will be consumed daily. In parallel with this, it is also necessary to adhere to the recommendations given by specialists.
To benefit from a fruit and vegetable diet for hypertension, you must adhere to some rules, which are as follows:
- You will have to completely abandon fatty and fried foods, as well as those foods that contain a large amount of bad cholesterol.
- It is necessary to minimize or completely quit smoking, as well as give up alcohol.
- With excess weight, it is necessary to adhere to the gentle heat treatment of vegetables and fruits in order to preserve a greater number of useful substances in them.
- The daily diet of a person suffering from hypertension should be perfectly balanced in terms of the content of beneficial trace elements and substances.
Hypertensive Food Recipes
People suffering from hypertension are forced to cook dishes for themselves according to certain recipes:
- At first you can cook a vegetarian soup with dumplings. For this dish you will need a vegetable broth, potatoes, two chicken eggs, flour, butter, milk, garden greens. Potatoes must be added to the vegetable broth. Melt the butter, add the egg and milk, beat well, add flour to make a viscous dough. Collect the resulting mass with a teaspoon and send to a boiling broth. Cook the dumplings for ten minutes. Before serving, sprinkle soup with garden herbs.
- As a second course, you can cook chicken cutlets. For them you need brown or white chicken meat, onion, white bread, 2 chicken eggs, vegetable oil, milk and flour. First you need to make minced meat, add bread soaked in milk, eggs, chopped herbs, onions. Knead the mass, form cutlets from it, roll lightly in flour, then send to bake in the oven until cooked.
- As a dessert, rice and carrot pudding is ideal. To make it, you will need carrots, eggs, rice, breadcrumbs, butter, yogurt and a baking powder. Boil the rice, grate the carrots, stew, then add the boiled cereal to it. Wipe the resulting mixture thoroughly through a sieve. Add the egg, baking powder, melted butter, bread crumbs to the finished mass. Mix everything well, put in a baking dish and cook in the oven for forty minutes. Top with dessert yogurt.
Doctors reviews
In the reviews, doctors say that arterial hypertension is a very dangerous disease, if the pressure indicators are not brought back to normal. To do this, they recommend using fruits and vegetables as an auxiliary method of combating the disease. But if the general condition worsens, one must undergo a course of treatment with the use of medications that stabilize the pressure.