High blood pressure – which is also known as hypertension – puts extra stress on blood vessels and vital organs.
The condition could lead to some deadly complications, including strokes and heart attacks.
It could be caused by eating an unhealthy diet, or by not doing enough exercise.
One of the best ways to lower your blood pressure is to eat more beetroot, it’s been claimed.
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“Beetroot is an absolute power veg! From lowering blood pressure, to improving sports performance, to being extremely rich in essential vitamins and minerals, this little veg just does it all,” they told Express Health.
“In terms of lowering blood pressure, beetroot is an excellent source of potassium and nitrates, which are both thought to be important in helping to manage blood pressure.
“The chemical formation of nitrite from the dietary nitrates in the juice is thought to lower blood pressure.
“Nitrite can be converted to nitric oxide [NO] by the cells that line blood vessels. This nitric oxide is a powerful dilator of blood vessels which results in lower blood pressure.”
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Drinking beetroot juice has a similar antihypertensive effect as the vegetable itself.
Just 100g of beetroot juice could significantly lower blood pressure within 24 hours, scientists have claimed.
But, if you’re not a big fan of beetroot, you could always stick to dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate could also lower your blood pressure, as it contains antioxidant flavanol polyphenols.
High blood pressure is often known as ‘the silent killer’, because symptoms only tend to reveal themselves if you have extremely high blood pressure.
The most common high blood pressure symptoms include a pounding in your chest, finding blood in your urine, and severe headaches.
It’s crucial that all adults over 40 years old check their blood pressure at least once every five years.
You can check your blood pressure by visiting your local doctors’ surgery or pharmacy.
Source: Daily Express
