High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a disease affecting about 80 million U.S. adults, one-third of which are young people between the ages of 16 and 34. Even though it typically has no symptoms, HBP can have deadly health consequences if not treated. According to a recent study conducted in California, if hypertension is left untreated, it can, even in its mild form, cause premature aging and brain damage.
Conventional medicine treats this cardiovascular disease with blood pressure medications such as angiotensin-receptor blockers, which, on the other hand, have been associated with cancer and other serious health problems. Fortunately, alternative medicine ‘prescribes’ eating more foods and herbs which reduce blood pressure naturally without triggering any harmful side effects.
These six natural remedies will help you maintain your blood pressure stable, thus preventing the long-term adverse effects caused by persistent hypertension.
1. Garlic
According to a 2010 Australian study, garlic is a powerful remedy that naturally reduces cholesterol levels and lowers blood pressure. Also, taking garlic food supplements regularly is an excellent way to ingest this vegetable in sufficient quantities so as to get significant health benefits.
2. Raw Cacao
With its high content of flavonoids and other anti-inflammatory nutrients, raw cacao is another powerful tool against hypertension. The flavonoids in cacao act as adaptogens which help the body to efficiently cope with stress, a common cause of hypertension. Plus, they also help normalize stress hormone levels in the body, which have a considerable effect on blood pressure regulation.
3. Turmeric
This powerful superfood, also commonly known as curcumin, has scientifically proven health benefits, among which significant reduction of inflammation in the body, which is the main cause of high cholesterol and even high blood pressure. Turmeric improves cardiovascular function and maintains healthy blood flow by actively reducing inflammation.
If turmeric is combined with non-irradiated black pepper, the primary active ingredient of which is piperine, turmeric successfully loosens blood vessels and cleans the buildup that generally causes high blood pressure. Moreover, turmeric is a natural blood thinner, which is just another thing this powerful herb does in the battle against high blood pressure.
4. Raw Almonds
Just a handful of raw almonds a day can be extremely efficient in maintaining your blood pressure stable. For one thing, raw almonds are abundant in monounsaturated fats, which help lower blood cholesterol levels, reduce arterial inflammation, and finally balance blood pressure levels. No wonder it is the main component of the DASH diet.
On the other hand, while high in fat and calories, almonds stimulate weight loss and the buildup of lean muscle mass, which means they stimulate healthy circulation. If combined with other nuts, for example, walnuts, almonds make one of the most powerful foods for cardiovascular health.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Possibly one of the foods to reduce blood pressure fastest, cayenne pepper is a potent vasodilator, meaning it can dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow. This effect naturally decreases blood pressure levels by increasing the speed at which blood flows through the blood vessels, which in turn reduces the pressure on arterial walls.
Hypertension can effectively be treated by mixing 1-2 tsp cayenne pepper in either warm water or tea in combination with honey and aloe vera. In case this is too spicy for your taste, you can opt for cayenne pepper supplements as another successful option for reducing blood pressure in a natural way.
6. Coconut Water
Abounding in potassium, electrolytes, and other important nutrients, coconut water has shown amazing effects on reducing blood pressure levels in most people. According to a recent study published in the West Indian Medical Journal, drinking coconut water significantly reduced systolic pressure in 71% of the study participants, and diastolic pressure in 29% of participants.
These results were even intensified when participants combined coconut water with mauby, a tropical drink made from buckthorn tree bark.
