These foods can help your high blood pressure

When it comes to blood pressure, your diet can either be your biggest enemy or your greatest ally. If you suffer from hypertension, you’ve likely been told to avoid salty foods to keep your blood pressure in check.

You might be missing out on all the crunchy fries and meat, but don’t despair. There are still plenty of foods that are not only delicious and satisfying, but that also have been shown to lower your blood pressure.


1. Egg Whites



You can start your day off with a blood-pressure easing breakfast. Have some eggs, but go easy on the yolk. Not only are egg whites high in filling protein, they contain a peptide which lowers blood pressure. A study revealed that egg whites can lower your blood pressure as much as a low dose of a prescription drug.

2. Bananas



The filling fruit is loaded with potassium, which is known to help with lowering blood pressure. The mineral helps balance the effects of salt on the body, and helps the kidneys function properly. Studies have shown that daily banana consumption, can help lower blood pressure. One study in particular said just two bananas a day can reduce your blood pressure by 10 percent! Other potassium-rich foods include potatoes, dates, and avocados.

3. Tomatoes



Consider swapping out your lunchtime soft drink with a cup of tomato juice (low sodium, of course). Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which has been shown to help reduce blood pressure. Study found that by getting at least 25 mg of lycopene in your diet every day, you can lower your LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) by up to 10 percent.

4. Dark Chocolate

We could seriously enjoy this delicious treat all day long, with its age-busting antioxidants and mood-enhancing powers. A study of older adults with hypertension or pre-hypertension found that after just 18 weeks of eating a small amount of dark chocolate everyday (30 calories worth), participants saw a nearly 20 percent reduction in hypertension. So go ahead, and treat yourself.

5. Watermelon



Summer is just around the corner and there’s sure to be plenty of this hot-weather favorite to go around. Researchers say the fruit is one of the richest natural sources of L-citrulline, which helps regulate blood flow and blood pressure. The researchers concluded that natural sources of the amino acid can actually have a protective effect, preventing pre-hypertension from developing into full-blown hypertension.