Today’s Solutions: September 21, 2023

Bad news: the number of deaths from high blood pressure is on the rise in America. Good news: in many cases, dietary changes alone are enough to solve the issue. If you’re looking for a natural way to lower your blood pressure, here are six essential foods that will help do the trick.

Beet greens

Beet greens are rich in magnesium, antioxidants, and potassium, a mineral that is known to reduce blood pressure. Plus, they are super delicious if you chop them and sauté them.

Pomegranates

The beautiful thing about pomegranates is that they are high in polyphenols, an antioxidant that benefits those with high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. In one study, people who drank a cup or more of pomegranate juice daily showed a decrease in both systolic (the maximum pressure your heart exerts while beating) and diastolic (the amount of pressure in your arteries between beats) numbers.

Pistachios

Pistachios, a beloved flavor for many, are members of the cashew family. Besides tasting great, other accolades of pistachios are that they are full of healthy fats, potassium, and other compounds that reduce blood pressure.

Yogurt

It turns out that snacking on yogurt is another great way to lower blood pressure. One review found a link between low-fat dairy, especially yogurt and milk, and reduced risk of hypertension. In another study, women who ate five or more servings of yogurt a week showed a 20% reduction in their risk for developing high blood pressure.

Flax seeds

As we mentioned in a couple of other articles, flax is high in omega-3 fats. They also contain a lot of fibers, which help protect against high blood pressure.

Beets

If blood pressure is an issue, we recommend finding ways to integrate beets into your diet. With beets, you get a whole lot of polyphenols and nitric oxide, a compound that reduces inflammation and promotes vasodilation (widening of arteries) to lower blood pressure. Whether it’s through beet juice or simply by adding slices of beets into your salads, these red roots will help keep the blood pressure low.

This story was one of the best from 2019, and we are happy to include it in our “12 Days of Optimism” as we get ready to welcome 2020!

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Meet Susan Murabana, the astronomer bringing the cosmos to Kenyan youth

A celestial display unfolds beneath the velvety African night sky, amidst the peace of Kenya's isolated Samburu county. It’s 1:30 AM in mid-August, and ...

Read More

Ditch the rake and discover the benefits of leaving fallen leaves in your yard

The annual ritual of raking and disposing of fallen leaves has been engraved into the autumn dance for generations. But, in reality, those vivid ...

Read More

Germany is turning 62 Cold War military bases into sanctuaries for wildlife

Wildlife in Germany will get a quarter more land to roam over, as the country’s government has decided to turn 62 unused military bases ...

Read More

COVID-19 might just be a blessing in disguise for the pangolin

The pangolin is one of the most fascinating creatures in the world, being the only mammal to also be covered in hard protective scales. ...

Read More