High Blood Pressure?

Do you have high blood pressure (hypertension)? My husband and I have taken high blood pressure medicine for years. I did a little reading and found that several foods are beneficial to those of us who have high blood pressure. Since we like to eat, this "good food list" was good news.

A healthy diet that includes potassium, magnesium and calcium can help lower and control high blood pressure. You should also include essential fatty acids, but cut back the saturated fats, salt and sugar.

The following are some of the foods we can eat to help with our high blood pressure:

Spinach

Sunflower Seeds

Bananas

Unsaturated Fats

Garlic

Tomatoes

Broccoli

Spinach is rich in magnesium which also helps prevent heart disease. Spinach also contains folate which protects the homocysteine levels in the body. Spinach is best raw in salads to get the most benefit.

Sunflower Seeds are rich in potassium, magnesium and phytosterols to aid the lowering of cholesterol levels.

Bananas are also rich in potassium and have a high fiber content. Two per day are good for you health.

Unsaturated fats provide essential fatty acid needed by our bodies. Fish contain omega-3 that helps prevent heart disease. Oily fish like trout, salmon and mackerel are the best for you. The best way to prepare them is to grill, bake or steam.

Garlic helps thin the blood and stops blood vessels clogging which reduces blood pressure. Garlic can be taken in pill form if you do not like the taste of eating it.

Tomatoes are full of calcium and potassium plus they contain vitamins A, C and E. Tomatoes also contain lycopene a antioxidant that also helps reduce heart disease. Drinking tomato juice is a good way to enjoy tomatoes. Just check the label and make sure there is no added salt or sugar.

Broccoli is high in potassium and contains chromium which helps with blood sugar regulation. It is best steamed or eaten raw.

High blood pressure is the silent killer so do not ignore it (I need blog followers).  I am sure there are other foods that would be good for high blood pressure, but luckily we happen to like the ones on this list.