My Health Bestie Subscribe
My Health Bestie · Edition
Nutrition 4 min read

8 Foods to Normalize Your Blood Pressure

Eight foods to include in your diet if you have hypertension: banana, spinach, celery, oats, avocado, beet, sunflower seeds, and carrot, with what each does.

8 Foods to Normalize Your Blood Pressure Fresh

TL;DR: Eight foods to normalize blood pressure if you live with hypertension: banana, spinach, celery, oats, avocado, beet, sunflower seeds, and carrot. Pair them with more water and regular walks. Simple daily additions, not a miracle, but the kind of routine that moves the numbers.

Eating is an important part of a healthy life. Did you know that every two minutes, one person dies because of cardiovascular disease? Behind these numbers, there hides an insidious disease that many times doesn’t show itself: hypertension. That’s why measuring your blood pressure is a good habit to pick up on. If you notice any differences, talk to a doctor.

According to the American Heart Association, the limit of a normal blood pressure is 120/80. The interval between 120/80 and 140/90 is seen as pre-hypertension. A single high result doesn’t mean you have hypertension. However, if the results over 140/90 are constant, you should go to the doctor to investigate further.

What causes high blood pressure?

While the exact cause of hypertension is unknown, evidence points to excessive consumption of salt, alcohol, smoking, processed foods, lack of physical activity, and genetic disposition as contributing factors. Hypertension is also the cause of many diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and others.

Selection of bananas, leafy greens and beets beside a blood-pressure cuff showing healthy reading
These everyday foods normalize blood pressure through potassium, magnesium and dietary nitrates.

Do you know what causes high blood pressure? While the exact cause of this disease is unknown, there are evidences that excessive consumption of salt, alcohol, smoking, processed foods, lack of physical activities, and genetic disposition might be contributing factors.

And if that’s not enough, hypertension is also the cause of many diseases, such as diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, kidney failure, and others.

1. Banana

Rich in potassium, it helps reduce blood pressure.

2. Spinach

Low in calories, rich in fibers, and full of essential nutrients for our body, spinach helps reduce and maintain blood pressure levels.

3. Celery

The phytochemicals present in celery, known as phthalides, relax the muscle tissues of arteries’ walls, allowing more blood flux and, thus, reducing blood pressure.

4. Oats

Fiber and whole grains are great to keep blood pressure under control. Consuming oats can help you.

5. Avocado

The oleic acid present in avocado can reduce the levels of blood pressure and cholesterol. Rich in vitamins A, E, K, B, and fiber, it is great for your heart.

Banana, avocado and sweet potato beside an illustration of potassium balancing sodium
Potassium-rich foods balance sodium, easing pressure on the arteries and reducing cardiovascular strain.

6. Beet

Rich in nitrates, beet helps relax the blood vessels and improves the blood flux. Drinking a cup of beet juice per day can help reduce your blood pressure by 5 points, according to researchers.

7. Sunflower seeds

Rich in vitamin E, folic acid, proteins, and fibers, sunflower seeds help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.

8. Carrot

Carrots are rich in potassium and beta-carotene. Carrot juice keeps your blood pressure levels regular. It also helps reduce cholesterol.

The takeaway

Including these foods in your diet can bring significant effects on the control of hypertension. Also, if you suffer from high blood pressure, increase your water intake, drinking in between 67 oz. to 84 oz. per day, and also practice regular physical activities, such as walking or jogging, at least 3 times a week.

Always check with your doctor before making changes if you are on blood pressure medication or have other health conditions. If quiet, practical food tips are your kind of thing, the newsletter lands every Friday.

Frequently asked questions

What is considered a normal blood pressure?

According to the American Heart Association, the limit of a normal blood pressure is 120/80. The interval between 120/80 and 140/90 is seen as pre-hypertension. A single high result doesn’t mean you have hypertension. However, if the results over 140/90 are constant, you should go to the doctor to investigate further.

How much beet juice lowers blood pressure?

Drinking a cup of beet juice per day can help reduce your blood pressure by 5 points, according to researchers.

How much water should I drink with hypertension?

If you suffer from high blood pressure, increase your water intake, drinking in between 67 oz. to 84 oz. per day, and also practice regular physical activities, such as walking or jogging, at least 3 times a week.

What causes hypertension?

While the exact cause of this disease is unknown, there are evidences that excessive consumption of salt, alcohol, smoking, processed foods, lack of physical activities, and genetic disposition might be contributing factors.

Thanks for reading. If this hit the spot, pass it along.