Daily Trust Sunday

TASTY MORNING SMOOTHIES TO CURB HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

- By JAMILA DAUDA FREDA With additional informatio­n from the internet

When it comes to managing high blood pressure adding foods rich in potassium, magnesium, nitrates, probiotics and flavonoids to the daily diet, is always advisable to eat a variety of foods. However, the easiest way to tame high blood pressure is to have a glass of smoothie made by blending different types of foods with blood pressure lowering properties. Start your day by adding a blood pressure lowering smoothie to your breakfast menu and it will help in maintainin­g your blood pressure level in the normal range.

1. BANANA, SPINACH AND BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE

Banana is rich in potassium, Spinach is an excellent source of nitrate. Blueberry is packed with antioxidan­t compounds. Hence, a smoothie that contains these three ingredient­s will help in bringing down your high blood pressure level. Make your smoothie by blending one ripe banana, a cup of chopped spinach, a cup of blueberrie­s and a cup of unflavored low fat yogurt.

2. BEET, STRAWBERRY AND ORANGE SMOOTHIE

Red beetroot is a wonderful source of nitrate. Strawberri­es and oranges are packed with potassium, vitamin C and antioxidan­ts. Studies suggest that the antioxidan­t effect of vitamin C, by neutralizi­ng the free radicals, helps in maintainin­g the normal nitric oxide production in the blood vessels. To prepare the smoothie, you will need a cup of chopped red beetroot, one orange, a cup of strawberri­es, one ripe banana, a cup of spinach and a glass of low fat milk.

3. AVOCADO AND KIWI SMOOTHIE

Avocado is a good source of potassium. Moreover, it contains essential fats that help in preventing the arterial walls from becoming stiff. Kiwifruit is rich in potassium and antioxidan­ts. Make your blood pressure reducing smoothie by blending the flesh of half an avocado, one kiwifruit, a cup of baby spinach and half a cup of Greek yogurt

4. CHERRY SMOOTHIE

Cherries are rich in the antioxidan­t anthocyani­n. When added to the smoothie recipe, cherries help in boosting the antihypert­ensive effect of the smoothie. To prepare the smoothie you will need half a cup of frozen cherries, one ripe banana, a cup or arugula and ½-cup of natural yogurt. Blend the ingredient­s until smooth.

5. PAPAYA AND PEACH SMOOTHIE

Papaya is a good source of potassium and antioxidan­ts. To make a potassium rich smoothie that helps in lowering the high blood pressure, include papaya in your recipe. In a blender, add 1 ½-cup of ripe papaya cubes, a ripe banana, five strawberri­es, one peach and a glass of low fat milk. Blend all the ingredient­s.

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