Drinking tea, eating dark chocolate helps improve blood pressure
According to Dr. Sohaib Imtiaz, a nutritionist and cardiovascular health expert in the US, adjusting your eating habits can have a positive impact on blood pressure. Some natural foods contain bioactive ingredients that help dilate blood vessels, reduce inflammation and increase blood circulation, he says.
Of which, green tea is considered the top choice. This drink contains catechin, an antioxidant compound that helps protect blood vessel walls, reduce inflammation and prevent blood clots from forming. Many studies show that people who drink green tea regularly for three months can significantly reduce cardiopulmonary and dialysis blood pressure.
Thanks to its high flavonoid content, dark chocolate helps improve blood vessel function, increasing the production of nitric oxide, a substance that helps blood vessels dilate, thereby reducing blood pressure. Dr. Imtiaz recommends choosing chocolate with a high cocoa content of over 70% and eating only a small amount per day for good results.
Turmeric, chia seeds and beet juice, a yellow food group for people with high blood pressure
Not only tea and chocolate, turmeric also helps regulate blood pressure. Studies show that using 3,000 mg of turmeric per day for 12 weeks can help lower cardiopulmonary blood pressure. The curcumin ingredient in turmeric also helps reduce inflammation and improve vascular endothelial function.
Meanwhile, chia seeds are rich in protein, omega-3, fiber and antioxidants. Peptides in chia seeds work the enzyme angiotensin, a factor that regulates blood pressure, helping to lower blood pressure naturally. With just 1 tablespoon chia seeds per day, people with high blood pressure can notice an improvement after a few weeks.
Finally, beetroot juice is a natural source of nitrates. When entering the body, nitrate is converted into nitric oxide, which helps dilate blood vessels, increase blood flow and lower blood pressure quickly. This is a drink chosen by many athletes and people with high blood pressure.
According to Dr. Sohaib Imtiaz, combining these natural foods with a reasonable diet, brisk eating and weight control is a simple, safe and sustainable way to keep blood pressure at a healthy level.
