Foods To Lower Blood Pressure?

Author: Alexander Bruni Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

Increased potassium intake with food has a diuretic effect and helps to excrete more salt in the urine, lowering blood pressure.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people suffer from hypertension - chronically high blood pressure. The condition is directly responsible for the fatal outcomes of 45% of heart diseases and 51% of strokes.

Researchers at the University of South Carolina report that increased intake of potassium-rich foods may help fight high blood pressure. Intake of such foods increases the work of the kidneys, which begin to excrete more water and salt with increased amounts of potassium in the body. The effect is similar to that of a diuretic.

Alicia McDonagh, a professor of cell and neurobiology, said that according to the evidence she and her team had, increasing dietary potassium intake had a significant effect and directly helped lower blood pressure. The researchers' findings are published in the April 4, 2017, American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism .

Many foods are rich in potassium - the valuable mineral is important for maintaining the electrolyte balance in the body, is responsible for many heart functions and without it the body would not be able to produce enough energy.

The recommended daily intake of potassium is 3500-4500 milligrams per day, depending on many factors. Before attempting to increase the intake, consultation with a doctor and if possible a nutritionist is absolutely mandatory.

One medium banana contains nearly 15% of the required daily amount of potassium for a person. 100 grams of yogurt contains about 250 milligrams of potassium, one avocado - about 1000 milligrams. In 200 grams of boiled or baked, but not fried potatoes, there is about 30% of the potassium needed for the day, and in 100 grams of fresh salmon there are about 500 milligrams of potassium.

According to McDonagh and her students, the ability to control body potassium levels is vital for heart, muscle and nerve health.

Foods To Lower Blood Pressure?

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