High blood pressure: Lifestyle changes to reduce dangers
High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects around one in three adults in England, according to Blood Pressure UK.
This high prevalence is concerning because hypertension is a precursor to heart attacks and strokes.
Fortunately, you can tame your blood pressure reading through your diet naturally.
Dr Pamela Mason, a nutritionist from the Health and Food Supplements Information Service, has told Express.co.uk that five botanicals could do this with gusto.
Dr Mason said: “Studies have looked at the issue of botanical ingredients and the health of the blood vessels.”
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Based on the findings, she recommended reaching for the likes of ginger, bilberry, cranberry, garlic and ginseng.
The first three botanicals on this list are packed with antioxidant ingredients, particularly polyphenols which can keep your reading at bay.
The nutritionist explained these plant compounds may help reduce inflammatory levels and contribute to the health of your blood vessels.
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“Specific anthocyanin polyphenols in bilberry have been shown to potentially normalise blood pressure,” she said.
Furthermore, ginger could contribute to lower blood pressure reading through an effect on calcium channels in the blood vessels as well.
When it comes to garlic, a plant compound called allicin could be responsible for the reduction.
Don’t just take the nutritionist’s word for it, as research, published in the journal Nutrition, also suggests that garlic supplements could help reduce hypertension.
To achieve the best outcomes, the nutritionist recommended including these botanicals in a balanced, healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Dr Mason explained you can either consume ginger, bilberry, cranberry, garlic and ginseng in foods or as supplements.
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