KEY POINTS

  • High blood pressure can cause a lot of discomforts
  • Lowering blood pressure has become a daily struggle of a lot of patients
  • There is one food that must be included in the diet to help lower blood pressure

High blood pressure, according to the National Health Service, is one of the top three diseases in the country, affecting around a third of adults. If left unchecked, it raises your risk of developing more serious health issues. Compounding the problem is the fact that the symptoms of the conditions, if any at all, particularly during the early stage, are subtle to none.

Fortunately, this condition can be managed with many of its attendant health risks drastically reduced. A recent study showed that including a particular food in your diet can greatly help in lowering down your blood pressure.

diet to lower blood pressure
diet to lower blood pressure stevepb - Pixabay

In a review of past researches published in the journal Hypertension, adding probiotic-rich foods can have a significant positive effect on high blood pressure. The study, which was conducted within eight weeks, involved volunteers being asked to consume food rich in friendly bacteria or probiotics. After the study, the participants enjoyed a significant drop in their blood pressure.

Hypertension

This condition is characterized by the rising of your blood pressure, putting your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and brain under tremendous strain. Although blood pressure may normally rise and fall within the 24-hour cycle, persistently high blood pressure can heighten the risk of developing life-threatening conditions like heart attack and stroke. It also increases your risk of developing heart disease and heart failure, aortic aneurysm, vascular dementia, peripheral arterial disease, and kidney disease.

Keeping It Down

Eating probiotic-rich foods can help a lot in keeping your blood pressure down. Foods like tempeh, sauerkraut, yogurt, and kimchi are rich in probiotics that can have a positive impact on high blood pressure.

You can consume them in many ways. For instance, you can have a bowl of your favorite nuts and fruits alongside yogurt for a tasty snack or breakfast. Doing so can also help in improving your intake of important vitamins and minerals.

As regards tempeh, you can have them as a companion to your regular diet. The food, which is a popular meat substitute, has a nutty flavor similar to earthy mushrooms. Steam, boil, or fry this fermented soybean product for 20 minutes before serving. You can also season or marinate it to your accustomed taste. You can also add tempeh to your vegetable stews.

Kimchi consists of pickled cabbage and, in some instances, other small pieces of vegetables like carrots. A traditional Korean dish, it is made through lactic fermentation in brine and oftentimes consumed as a side dish. You can also slice it and add it as an ingredient to hotpots and soups. Sauerkraut, a German dish similar to kimchi, consists of thin cabbage slices and pickled in brine. It is best consumed in its raw form.