Diet
The Western diet has a lot to do with hypertension. Following the suggestions here will make a real difference in your blood pressure and your overall wellness.
Recommended Food
A diet high in fiber is an excellent way to control or reverse high blood pressure. Your meals should be based around fresh, raw vegetables; soy products; whole grains, like oats; beans; nuts; and seeds.
Dehydration increases the risk of hypertension, so drink a glass of clean water every two waking hours.
As you lower your intake of salt, you must also increase your consumption of potassium. A combination of excess sodium and a deficiency in potassium has been found in many people with hypertension. Good sources of potassium include apples, asparagus, cabbage, oranges, tomatoes, bananas, kelp (Ascophyllumnodosum), and alfalfa.
Apples are superfoods for people with high blood pressure. Not only do they have high levels of potassium, they're also a good source of pectin, which is an excellent type of soluble fiber.
Onions, garlic, and parsley have been shown to bring down blood pressure. They also add flavor to vegetarian meals, so take advantage of their healing properties daily.
Celery has been shown in animal studies to reduce blood pressure. Consume up to four stalks a day.
Food to Avoid
People with high blood pressure generally benefit from restricting their intake of salt. Salt contains sodium, which causes water retention and increases the pressure inside the arteries. It is not enough to simply stop using table salt; you must also cut out all processed and packaged foods, as well as smoked meats and cheeses, as they are loaded with sodium.
Saturated, hydrogenated, and partially hydrogenated fats cause high blood pressure and place a terrible burden on your arteries and heart. Eliminate animal products, margarine, butter, shortening, and refined vegetable oils.
Sugar is linked to hypertension. If you do not eat packaged or processed foods, you will eliminate the largest sources of added sugar from your diet, but you should also avoid sugary baked goods and limit your intake of foods that are sweetened naturally.
Overindulgence in caffeine is a cause of high blood pressure. Cut back on your intake of coffee, colas, chocolate, and caffeinated teas.
Allow yourself no more than one alcoholic beverage a day.
Detoxification
Do a one- to three-day juice fast every month. Drink a wide variety of juices to support your fast, including those made from apples, bokchoy, carrots, onions, leafy greens, apricots, cranberries, cantaloupe, papayas, and red grapes.
