Foods would ensure sufficient potassium intake so as to keep blood pressure at bay. Some experts feel hypertension is more likely due to the deficiency of calcium rather than due to excess sodium. They feel that consuming adequate calciumrich foods such a

The most effective lifestyle change for anyone suffering from hypertension is weight loss. Even if a hypertensive individual loses just a little weight, it can have dramatic effects on lowering their blood pressure. To prevent heart attacks and strokes, blood pressure should be maintained at 120/80 and not be in excess of 140/90. There are a number of foods that help lower blood pressure. Below are a few:

Garlic: Garlic is known to lower blood pressure by allowing the muscles of the blood vessels to dilate. The compound found in garlic, which helps in vasodilation, is adenosine, a muscle relaxant. Both raw and cooked garlic can benefit those with blood pressure. But raw garlic is more potent. Garlic has other healing properties to its credit. It interferes with the formation of blood clots and also helps in reducing cholesterol. It helps improve immunity. It also prevents gas formation.

Chop three to four cloves of raw garlic, place it on a tablespoon and gulp it down like tiny pellets with warm water.

Fruits and vegetables: Studies show switching to a vegetarian diet lowers blood pressure. Fruits have a concentration of vitamin C, potassium and loads of soluble fibre, all of which contribute to lowering blood pressure. People who eat the least amount of fruits and vegetables are more prone to high blood pressure. Therefore, make sure you eat foods with high amounts of vitamin C such as vegetables and fruits (not the synthetic tablets although that may also help to a certain extent) because fruits also have other qualities that contribute to lower blood pressure. Potassium: It is now widely known that adding potassium to one’s diet decreases blood pressure. If one eats a diet low in potassium, their pressure can possibly soar by four to five points. In addition to low potassium intake, if a person is habituated to eating more salt they could develop hypertension over a period of time.

To maintain a sufficient amount of potassium, one could increase intake of foods like banana, watermelon, potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, spinach, skimmed milk, soya beans, almonds, etc. Eating three to six servings of these Calcium: Fish: