A doctor trained at Harvard and Stanford has revealed a list of five foods proven to help lower high blood pressure. It's estimated that just over a third of adults in the UK, just over 14 million people, suffer from high blood pressure. Of these, roughly nine million have received a diagnosis from their GP, according to the British Heart Foundation.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can dramatically increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. It's also linked to a heightened risk of vascular dementia. To help people reduce their blood pressure, Doctor Sethi has turned to TikTok to share a list of foods scientifically proven to help lower and prevent elevated blood pressure.
"Top five foods that can help lower blood pressure, supported by scientific evidence," the doctor stated at the beginning of the video. He proceeded to outline the five foods in question.
1. Bananas
"First, bananas," he declared. "These are high in potassium which aids in reducing blood pressure by helping the kidneys eliminate excess sodium." Consuming too many sodium-rich foods, such as salty items, can trigger high blood pressure, which raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to the NHS. Therefore, helping your body flush out any excess sodium is an excellent way to bring down your high blood pressure.
2. Dark Chocolate
"Second, dark chocolate," he added. "It is packed with magnesium and flavanols which lower blood pressure by boosting the production of nitrous oxide." Nitric oxide assists in relaxing blood vessels, enabling blood to circulate more easily and consequently reduces blood pressure, research indicates. It's thought that dark chocolate may particularly benefit elderly people and those at greater risk of cardiovascular conditions rather than younger people.
3. Beetroot
He proceeded to explain that the third food capable of helping reduce blood pressure is beetroot, as it delivers comparable health benefits to dark chocolate. "Beetroot can improve blood pressure due to its organic nitrates, which the body converts into nitrous oxide," he stated. Research supported by the British Heart Foundation discovered that patients with high blood pressure who consumed 250ml of beetroot juice daily had their blood pressure levels return to the normal range by the study's conclusion.
4. Pomegranate
Regarding the next item on his list, Dr Sethi outlined: "Pomegranates have been shown in studies to reduce blood pressure by lowering the levels of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)." ACE is a protein that serves a crucial function in regulating blood pressure by controlling the diameter of blood vessels throughout the body, the NHS states.
5. Ginger
"And finally, ginger can act as a natural calcium channel blocker, making it a useful tool for managing blood pressure," Dr Sethi shared. Ginger could help reduce blood pressure by blocking calcium channels in the heart, which may assist in relaxing blood vessels and enhancing circulation. A 2017 study discovered that people who consume ginger on a daily basis had a reduced risk of hypertension.
If you suspect you have high blood pressure or are concerned you may be at risk, the NHS advises booking an appointment with your GP. Alternatively, you can request a blood pressure check at your local pharmacy.
