We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Changing the diet can significantly reduce high blood pressure. Research has shown that certain foods can lower blood pressure, both right away and in the long term.
Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure affects
Medications, dietary changes, and other lifestyle modifications can reduce high blood pressure while lowering the risk of associated conditions. Having high blood pressure increases a person’s risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
In this article, we discuss foods that can help to reduce high blood pressure and provide the scientific evidence.
Many researchers have found that certain foods can lower high blood pressure. We look at which foods work and how to incorporate them into a healthful diet.
Blueberries and strawberries contain antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid.
Researchers conducted a
They found that those with the highest intake of anthocyanins — mainly from blueberries and strawberries — had an 8 percent reduction in the risk of high blood pressure, compared to those with a low anthocyanin intake.
Enjoy berries as a snack or sweet treat after meals, or add them to smoothies and oatmeal.
Bananas contain plenty of potassium, a mineral that plays a vital role in managing hypertension. One medium-sized banana contains around
According to the American Heart Association, potassium
Adults should aim to consume 4,700 milligrams (mg) of potassium daily. Other potassium-rich foods include:
People with kidney disease should speak to their doctors about potassium, as too much can be harmful.
Drinking beet juice can reduce blood pressure in the short and long terms.
In 2015, researchers
In this study, those who drank 1 cup of the beet juice every day had an average drop in blood pressure of around 8/4 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). For many, this change brought their blood pressure within the normal range. On average, a single blood pressure medication reduces levels by 9/5 mm Hg.
The researchers suggested that beet’s high levels of inorganic nitrate caused the reduction in blood pressure.
It may help to drink a glass of beet juice each day, add beets to salads, or prepare the vegetables as a healthful side dish. Beetroot juice products are available for purchase online.
This sweet treat may lower blood pressure. A
Choose high-quality chocolate that contains a minimum of 70 percent cocoa, and consume a single square, or a piece measuring about 1 ounce, each day.
A range of dark chocolate is available for purchase online.
A daily serving of kiwi can reduce blood pressure in people with mildly elevated levels, according to results of
The researchers compared the effects of apples and kiwis on people with slightly high blood pressure.
They found that eating three kiwis a day for 8 weeks resulted in a more significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, compared with eating one apple a day for the same period. The authors suspect that the bioactive substances in kiwis caused the reduction.
Kiwis are also rich in vitamin C, which may significantly
Kiwis are also easy to add to lunches or smoothies.
Watermelon contains an amino acid called citrulline, which may help to manage high blood pressure.
Citrulline helps the body to produce nitric oxide, a gas that relaxes blood vessels and encourages flexibility in arteries. These effects aid the flow of blood, which can lower high blood pressure.
In one study, adults with obesity and prehypertension or mild hypertension who took watermelon extract showed reduced blood pressure in the ankles and brachial arteries. The brachial artery is the main artery in the upper arm.
Researchers have also found that animals given a diet rich in watermelon had better heart health. In one study, mice who drank a solution containing watermelon juice had 50 percent less plaque in their arteries than the control group.
The mice who drank the solution also had 50 percent less low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which many describe as bad cholesterol, and they showed 30 percent less weight gain than the control animals.
To boost watermelon intake, add the fruit to salads and smoothies, or enjoy it in a chilled watermelon soup.
Oats contain a type of fiber called beta-glucan, which may
A
Start the day off with a bowl of oatmeal, or use rolled oats instead of breadcrumbs to give texture to meat or vegetarian burger patties.
Oats are available to purchase online.
Leafy green vegetables are rich in nitrates, which help to manage blood pressure. Some research suggests that eating 1–2 servings of nitrate-rich vegetables every day can reduce hypertension for up to 24 hours.
Examples of leafy greens include:
To consume a daily dose of green vegetables, stir spinach into curries and stews, sauté Swiss chard with garlic for a tasty side dish, or bake a batch of kale chips.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic and antifungal food. Its main active ingredient, allicin, is often responsible for associated health benefits.
Some
One
Garlic can enhance the flavor of many savory meals, including stir-fries, soups, and omelets. Using garlic instead of salt can further promote the health of the heart.
Fermented foods are rich in probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that play an important role in maintaining gut health. Eating probiotics can have a modest effect on high blood pressure, according to
The researchers reported more enhanced effects when study participants consumed:
Fermented foods to add to the diet include:
Some people prefer to take concentrated probiotic supplements every day. Probiotic supplements are available for purchase online.
Lentils are a staple of many diets around the world, as they are an excellent source of vegetarian protein and fiber.
In 2014, researchers who studied the effects of a diet rich in pulses on rats reported
Lentils are very versatile. Many people use them as a vegetarian alternative to minced beef or to add bulk to salads, stews, and soups. A range of lentils is available for purchase online.
The America Heart Association has
The researchers found that middle-aged women who consumed five or more servings of yogurt each week for 18–30 years showed a 20 percent reduction in the risk of hypertension when compared to similarly aged women who rarely ate yogurt.
The men in the study did not appear to have the same benefits, but their yogurt intakes tended to be lower.
It is important to note that the National Dairy Council in the U.S. funded this research.
Unsweetened yogurts, such as natural or Greek yogurts, tend to have more benefits. Enjoy them with fruit, nuts, or seeds for a healthful snack or dessert.
Drinking 1 cup of pomegranate juice daily for 28 days can lower high blood pressure in the short term, according to the findings of a
While pomegranates can be enjoyed whole, some people prefer the juice. When buying pre-packaged pomegranate juice, check to ensure that there is no added sugar.
Cinnamon may also help to reduce blood pressure, at least in the short-term.
An
Add cinnamon to the diet by sprinkling it over oatmeal or freshly chopped fruit, as an alternative to sugar. Cinnamon is available to purchase in various forms.
Pistachios are healthful nuts that may decrease hypertension.
One
It is important to note that the California Pistachio Commission of Fresno and the American Pistachio Growers funded this small-scale study.
Other studies have found that other nuts, such as
Snack on plain pistachios, toss them into salads, or blend them into pestos. Unsalted nuts are more healthful and available to purchase online.
While some foods may relieve hypertension, others can cause substantial increases in blood pressure.
People can prevent or reduce high blood pressure by avoiding the following:
Sodium can significantly raise blood pressure. According to the findings of a
The caffeine in coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks can cause short-term spikes in blood pressure.
A
These findings do not suggest that coffee increases blood pressure or the risk of cardiovascular disease in the long term.
Consuming moderate amounts of red wine may have some health benefits, but larger amounts of alcohol can cause
Heavy alcohol use also increases the risks of heart failure, stroke, cancer, and obesity.
A healthful diet and lifestyle can help to reduce the risk of hypertension.
Foods that may lower blood pressure include fruits, vegetables, oats, nuts, lentils, herbs, and spices.
Incorporate these into a balanced diet and engage in adequate physical activity to treat hypertension and improve overall health.
Last medically reviewed on January 2, 2020
Coconut oil may be good for the skin. Research is ongoing, but using coconut oil may help treat dry skin and reduce inflammation. Learn more here.
This Honest Nutrition feature offers an overview of ghrelin, the 'hunger hormone,' looking at its role in our health, and possible ways of controlling…
Most adults should get 10-35% of their daily calories from protein. Learn more about what protein is and how to calculate the right amount here.
Carrots contain nutrients that may benefit digestive health, diabetes management, and protect against cancers. Learn more here.
How harmful are microplastics in food, and what can we do to mitigate the health risks? In this Honest Nutrition feature, Medical News Today…
OUR BRANDS
