17 Foods that Lower Blood Pressure | Foods to Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a severe problem leading to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. Fortunately, many foods lower blood pressure. This blog post will discuss the 17 best foods for lowering blood pressure. We will also provide tips on incorporating these foods into your diet. So if you are looking for ways to lower your blood pressure, read this blog post!

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17 Foods that Lower Blood Pressure

Dairy Foods That Lower Blood Pressure 

1. Fat-Free or Reduced Fat Milk

Milk is a prime source of calcium and protein.

Some studies show that fat-free milk is healthier than regular milk. However, the DASH diet tries to keep saturated fats to a minimum. For this reason, it may be best to stick to low-fat.

Milk with reduced fat may also be lower in calories and cholesterol.

Enjoy a cup of milk a day alone or with a fiber-rich breakfast like the item below. One and a half ounces of cheese could also do wonders for your palette and heart health.

If you prefer chocolate milk in the morning, add cocoa powder to a cup of warm low-fat milk. You’ll still be able to enjoy the rich taste of hot cocoa while keeping your heart protected.

2. Yogurt

Fermented and nutrient-dense, yogurt is a dietitian’s go-to superfood.

Yogurt is one of the few probiotics in the Western diet and deserves a spot on your breakfast menu.

Research shows that probiotics may lower cholesterol and have anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet, and anti-oxidative properties.

One cup of Greek yogurt a day may protect your heart from cardiovascular diseases.

Grain Foods That Lower Blood Pressure 

3. Oats

Carbohydrates have a bad reputation, but they are an essential food group, providing us with energy (calories) and fiber.

Yes, carbs are still part of the meal plan, but make sure they’re of good quality—the less finely milled, the better. Whole grains are a rich source of dietary fiber and nutrients.

Oats are a healthful source of:

• fiber
• phosphorus
• thiamine
• magnesium
• zinc

The beta-glucans found in oats are the soluble fiber that helps lower bad cholesterol. They are also rich in antioxidants that help fight inflammation and may help you lose weight.

They are gluten-free, making them safe for those with celiac disease.

Opt for steel-cut oats or old-fashioned oats as your whole grain option. They have higher fiber content and a lower glycemic index than instant oats.

4. Whole Wheat Bread

A slice of whole-wheat toast or roll will do more for your health than white bread because refined grains like what you would find in white bread have little to no fiber.

Dietary fiber could keep bad cholesterol, stroke, heart attack, and diabetes at bay.

And because whole grains offer a heavier meal, you will feel fuller with fewer calories.

5. Brown Rice

Half a cup (one serving) of brown rice can give you a hearty and heart-healthy meal.

One serving contains 108 calories, two grams of fiber, and zero cholesterol—only the good stuff here. You can easily incorporate it into your dishes to give them more texture and easily replace white rice.

Chow down with tandoori chicken or stir-fried vegetables.

Not a fan of oats, whole-wheat bread, or brown rice? Nuts and legumes are can also be healthful sources of dietary fiber.

Fruit Foods That Lower High Blood Pressure

6. Apples (with skin)

Say it with me—an apple a day keeps the doctor away. And there’s truth to the age-old adage.

One cup of raw apples with skin contains:

• 65 calories
• 67.5 IU vitamin (1% daily value)
• 5.7 mg vitamin C (10% daily value)
• 2.8 mcg vitamin K (3% daily value)
• 6.3 mg magnesium (2% daily value)
• 134 mg potassium (4% daily value)

Don’t peel your apples. The skin contains plenty of nutrients and is much healthier than peeled apples.

Nutrients like potassium may help lower your risk for heart attack by controlling your blood pressure. It reduces sodium’s harmful effects and relaxes the walls of your blood vessels, lowering your blood pressure.

Add sliced apples to your salads for a sweeter, fresher flavor. The juicy and savory texture will also make your meal more inviting and satisfying at the same time.

Are you looking to drink your fruit? First, blend it into a smoothie as juicing it may not get the full benefits of a raw apple. The next item below will help sweeten your smoothie and give it a pleasing creamy texture.

7. Bananas

This time, it’s okay to peel your fruit.

One cup of sliced banana contains:

• 133 calories
• 3.9 g dietary fiber (16% DV)
• 96 IU vitamin A (2% DV)
• 13.1 mg vitamin C (22% DV)
• 0.6 mg vitamin B6 (28% DV)
• 40.5 mg magnesium (10% DV)
• 537 mg potassium (15% DV)

Magnesium may also help control and prevent hypertension. While scientists still do not know the underlying mechanisms, doctors widely recommend adding magnesium into your daily diet alongside potassium.

One meta-analysis of 34 trials found that magnesium may lower blood pressure and have antihypertensive effects.

Bananas make a great stand-alone snack. You can also prepare desserts with them like smoothies or yogurt parfaits.

8. Watermelon

Beat the heat and hypertension with watermelons.

One cup of watermelon balls contains:

• 46.2 calories
• 876 IU vitamin A (18% DV)
• 12.5 mg vitamin C (21% DV)
• 15.4 mg magnesium (4% DV)
• 173 mg potassium (5% DV)

Watermelons also contain citrulline, an amino acid that could help lower blood pressure. It plays a crucial role in producing nitric oxide, keeping blood vessels healthy, and helping to control and reduce blood pressure.

Food That Lowers High Blood Pressure for the Carnivorous:

9. Lean Meats

You can still enjoy your steak or barbecue at your family lunch.

The Dash Diet allows for some meat as it’s not as restrictive as other popular diets.

Lean meats are a great source of protein and safe to eat when consumed occasionally. Trim all the visible fat and broil, roast, or poach them to make a hearty lunch.

10. Chicken

Chicken is still the most healthful source of protein.

Poultry and eggs are healthful alternatives to processed foods. Processed food includes frozen meats you would find in the supermarket. Unfortunately, these typically contain high amounts of sodium from preservatives.

Opt for fresh meat over store-bought and highly processed.

Grill chicken with some bell peppers, onion, and tomatoes for a Mediterranean-themed dinner. If you’re cooking for the whole family, bake a chicken in the oven. It’s quick, easy, and very nutritious.

11. Salmon

It’s no secret that salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. They possess anti-inflammatory properties, may lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Atlantic wild salmon satisfy 28% of the daily value for potassium and 14% of your daily value for magnesium. Both potassium and magnesium are essential to heart health.

Like most meats, the healthiest way to prepare them is to grill, bake, or poach them.

Drizzle your salmon with lemon sauce to remove the fishy odor. Serve them with brown rice for a protein and carb-dense meal.

Foods That Lower High Blood Pressure: Nuts, Legumes, Seeds

12. Almonds

Science-backed diets like the DASH and Mediterranean diets encourage eating almonds for a good reason.

Almonds are an excellent source of antioxidants and keep your blood vessels and blood flow healthy. As a result, the health nut could lower blood pressure and reduce your risk for heart disease.

One cup of almonds contains:

• 546 calories
• 11.6 g dietary fiber (46% DV)
• 20.2 g protein (40% DV)
• 24.9 mg vitamin E (125% DV)
• 0.2 mg thiamin (13% DV)
• 3.2 mg niacin (16% DV)
• 47.5 mcg folate (12% DV)
• 251 mg calcium (25% DV)
• 255 mg magnesium (64% DV)
• 670 mg potassium (19% DV)

Foods that help lower high blood pressure and improve overall health come in small packages.

Almonds may be a better source of protein and fiber than lean meats and chicken. They are also more nutrient-dense, making them the perfect superfood.

Are you feeling peckish? Munch on some almonds between meals to satisfy your cravings.

13. Walnuts

Health nuts subscribe to this particular nut as they are one of the foods that help lower cholesterol, and now it seems it lowers high blood pressure.

Eating walnuts in a diet with low saturated fats may reduce blood pressure in patients at risk for heart attack. In addition, walnuts are a healthful whole food alternative to saturated fats.

Reach for a pack of walnuts instead of red meat if you’re looking for a snack. Then, nibble on them alone and down them with a cup of skim milk.

14. Lentils

Lentils are a protein powerhouse, besting even meat for protein content.

Just one cup of lentils will give you 36% of your daily recommended value for protein.

The lens-shaped legumes are one of the foods that help lower high blood pressure and cholesterol. And for those trying to lose weight, they may also help you lose weight and achieve a smaller waist circumference.

Lentil soup cooked with tofu is a protein punch and your best lunch for a healthy heart.

Leafy Green Foods that Lower High Blood Pressure

15. Broccoli

The cruciferous vegetable is one of the superfoods that deserve the top spot on your grocery list.

Broccoli is rich in potassium, dietary fiber, and flavonoids that work together to keep your heart healthy.

One cup of raw broccoli contains:

• 30.9 calories
• 2.6 g protein (5% DV)
• 2.4 g dietary fiber (9% DV)
• 567 IU vitamin A (11%% DV)
• 81.2 mg vitamin C (135% DV)
• 19.1 mg magnesium (5% DV)
• 288 mg potassium (8% DV)

Broccoli could be good for the heart and promotes overall health, given that you prepare it correctly.

One study found that broccoli loses flavonoids when it’s boiled. So, to get the most out of your broccoli, cook it in the microwave to retain its nutrients. Then, please make the most of your meal by pairing it with juicy red bell peppers and grilled chicken breast.

16. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in heart-healthy nutrients such as lycopene and potassium.

Lycopene poses many properties with heart benefits, including:

• anti-oxidative
• anti-inflammatory
• anti-atherogenic
• cardioprotective
• anti-platelet
• protective endothelial effects

The lycopene in tomatoes may support and protect many heart functions, including blood pressure.

While tomato paste and canned tomatoes may still contain lycopene, they may have higher sodium.

Grill a kebab with tomatoes, chicken, and red and yellow bell peppers. Each bite will be juicy, tender, and satisfying.

And to those who wonder if tomatoes are fruits or vegetables—they are both.

17. Green, Leafy Vegetables

Kale, spinach, and other leafy green are heralded as superfoods because they contain valuable vitamins and nutrients with many cardiovascular health benefits.

Green, leafy vegetables may protect you from a heart attack, improve endothelial function, and help regulate your blood pressure.

They contain:

• nitrate
• vitamin K, E, C
• carotenoids
• flavonols
• folate
• iron
• zinc
• calcium
• magnesium

They are also a few of your best sources of dietary fiber, essential to maintaining a healthy heart.

You can add them to your favorite fruit smoothie. It may change the color of your beverage but won’t leave it bitter. If you prefer something to munch on, a crispy green salad may be just as refreshing and nutritious.

High Potassium Foods that Lower Blood Pressure