20 Natural Ways to Reduce Blood Pressure

Exercise is the best and cheapest way to lower your blood pressure, and it doesn't mean you have to go to the gym, run marathons, or play team sports. Brisk walking or cycling, online strength classes, and many other home-based options are great for improved health, too.

Physical activity can make your heart stronger and more efficient. This change can reduce the pressure on your heart and blood vessels. Staying active every day is best if the goal is to keep blood pressure low.

More benefits of chocolate just keep on surfacing. Studies show small amounts of dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure. One study found that eating just 30 calories of dark chocolate each day was enough to modestly lower blood pressure.

Dark chocolate contains flavanols, which promote healthy blood flow. This snack should always be combined with a healthy diet, exercise, and weight loss if medically necessary.

The best way to improve your health and your blood pressure is by controlling what you eat every day. Food can make your condition better or worse. Leafy greens like kale, turnip greens, spinach, and arugula contain potassium and can play a role in decreasing the levels of sodium in the blood, improving blood pressure control.

Frozen vegetables contain the same level of nutritive material as fresh vegetables, but canned vegetables sometimes have a high amount of sodium. Try to buy fresh veggies instead of canned ones to get the most benefit.

Drinking tea is a custom in many cultures around the globe. Hibiscus tea can help reduce systolic blood pressure due to the phytochemicals it contains.

Though it can be consumed hot or cold, the recommended amount of hibiscus tea differs from one person to another according to their weight, age and health status. A physician or dietician can help you determine the right quantity for you.

Soy contains isoflavones, estrogen-like compounds that help lower the upper blood pressure reading (systolic), which represents the force inside the walls of arteries when the heart is contracting.

Isoflavones also play a role in the production of enzymes that make nitric oxide. These enzymes are essential for the relaxation of blood vessels and help reduce blood pressure. Ask your doctor whether adding soy to your diet is right for you.

Drinking too much has a significant effect on health and it can increase blood pressure, as well as weight, as most alcohol contains a lot of calories. Decreasing the amount of alcohol consumed is essential for those with high blood pressure. Ideally, people will drink less than 14 units of alcohol a week.

A unit of alcohol is one measure of liquor, half a pint of average-strength beer, or half a standard glass of red wine.

For some people, drinking a cup of coffee every morning is an essential part of their morning routine, but caffeine can cause a short-term spike in blood pressure. The impact of caffeine on blood pressure readings varies. Some people experience little increase when they consume moderate amounts of caffeine.

But, if you have a history of elevated blood pressure, proceed with caution. Ask a physician how much caffeine you can safely consume.

Every day, we face stressful situations at work and home and it's important to learn how to deal with stress. Stress stimulates the secretion of adrenaline and cortisol -- stress hormones that increase heart rate and make the blood vessels narrower, which raises blood pressure. There are many things you can do to reduce stress and identify and manage or avoid stressful situations.

Smoking contributes to many diseases, including hypertension. Nicotine can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, increase the risk of blood clots, and raise the risk of heart attack or stroke. It can also make the arteries narrower and their walls harder and less flexible.

Stopping smoking can be very difficult and take some time, but it has incredible benefits even beyond lowering blood pressure.

When we hear about vitamin D, we think about its benefits to our bones. However, not everyone knows that vitamin D deficiency could lead to an increase in blood pressure. More research is required to verify this, but the evidence is there. Some foods are rich in vitamin D, such as salmon, sardines, eggs, powdered milk, and fortified breakfast cereals. However, the best source of vitamin D is exposure to the sun.

The recommended amount of vitamin D is 600 international units for adults and 800 IU a day for people above 70. Ensuring diet and lifestyle accommodate these quantities can help you stay healthy and naturally lower your blood pressure.

Doctors usually tell people with high blood pressure to eat less salt because sodium may contribute to higher blood pressure readings. Increasing potassium helps a person pass more salt in their urine and is crucial to reducing high blood pressure. Always speak with a doctor before increasing potassium intake because it can be dangerous for people with kidney problems.

Foods high in potassium include avocados, fat-free yogurt, greens, and potatoes.

Recent studies show that too much sugar may contribute to high blood pressure. It can also lead to weight gain, and overweight people are more likely to have high blood pressure. The recommended daily sugar limits are 25 grams for women and 9 grams for men. The best way to decrease sugar is to cut out soda and other sweetened drinks and eat fewer foods with added sugar.

Research shows that increasing sleep may contribute to lower blood pressure. Sleep helps regulate stress hormones and contributes to a healthy nervous system. Over time, sleeping less than five hours a day could lead to higher blood pressure.

Sleeping for seven to eight hours per night may help treat and prevent high blood pressure.

Garlic shows promise in treating hypertension, according to research studies. It may lower blood pressure nearly as well as prescribed medication, with hardly any reported side effects, though it does not affect blood pressure levels already in the normal range.

For best results, use garlic powder or cooked garlic, but supplements are also useful. It's worth noting that these benefits are only noted with particularly high doses of garlic.

People who eat a high-protein diet may be at lower risk for high blood pressure. Research shows that those consuming the highest amount of protein cut their hypertension risk by nearly 40 percent. For best results, eat plenty of low-fat, protein-rich foods, like poultry, fish, and eggs.

Many plant-based foods are also high in protein, including oats, lentils, chickpeas, green peas, and tofu.

Finding inner peace may translate to a healthier heart. When the body encounters stress, it releases a surge of hormones. The aforementioned hormones force the heart to beat faster and cause blood vessels to narrow, and these physiological changes contribute to high blood pressure. Meditation practices like mindfulness and deep breathing have been shown to reduce stress when utilized regularly, thereby reducing blood pressure levels as well. Engaging in regular meditation sessions, even for just a few minutes a day, can contribute to a sense of calm and well-being. By reducing the body's stress response, you can support healthier blood pressure levels, making meditation an accessible and natural tool for managing hypertension.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements may benefit those with high blood pressure. Studies suggest that regular consumption of fish oil can help lower blood pressure and improve overall heart health. These essential fatty acids, commonly found in fish like salmon and mackerel, have potent anti-inflammatory properties that positively impact the cardiovascular system. Discuss with your healthcare provider whether fish oil supplements are right for you. Adding fish or fish oil to your diet is a practical way to harness the potential advantages of omega-3s in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.

Probiotics

Gut health is closely linked to overall well-being, including blood pressure regulation. Consuming probiotics, beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt and kefir, helps maintain a healthy balance in your digestive system. This balance has a positive effect on blood pressure regulation, as some researchers suggest that these bacteria produce chemicals that activate receptors directly responsible for lowering blood pressure. Probiotics support a diverse and flourishing gut microbiome, which, in turn, can influence various aspects of your health. Research suggests that the gut-heart connection is significant, and a balanced gut contributes to the prevention of hypertension and other cardiovascular issues. Consider adding probiotic-rich foods to your diet to promote a harmonious gut environment that may benefit your blood pressure.

Beetroot juice is rich in nitrates, compounds that improve blood pressure levels by dilating blood vessels and promoting efficient circulation. Some studies suggest that consuming beetroot juice can lead to significantly lower blood pressure within hours of consumption. Consider adding a glass of this vibrant juice to your daily routine, and reap the potential health advantages of this natural remedy for hypertension.

Artichokes are a delicious addition to your diet and may offer blood pressure benefits. Artichokes contain compounds that help widen blood vessels, reducing stress within arteries and lowering blood pressure. These vegetables are rich in bioactive compounds like cynarin, which can help relax blood vessels and support healthy blood flow. Whether steamed, roasted, or included in a flavorful salad, artichokes not only enhance your culinary experiences but also promote cardiovascular well-being. Their natural ability to aid in blood pressure regulation makes them a valuable addition to a heart-healthy diet.