Some people think that blood pressure is something that only people in their fifties or sixties need to pay attention to, but that’s really wrong. When going to the dentist, you can see a very prominent sign saying “First consultation for patients over 35 to have their blood pressure checked.” Obviously, once you reach the age of 35, you should consider whether your blood pressure is high.
In daily life, young people do not pay attention to their blood pressure, staying up past midnight, enjoying late-night snacks, maybe by the age of 30, their blood pressure is already high. There are many habits like this, mostly related to diet. If you want to stabilize your blood pressure, you need to pay more attention to your diet.
For those who like to eat salt, it’s best not to consume too much monosodium glutamate, as salt contains a lot of sodium, excessive intake can affect the potassium-sodium balance, causing blood pressure to fluctuate. Monosodium glutamate also contains sodium, and the content is not low. Adding salt and monosodium glutamate when cooking is equivalent to ingesting double the amount of sodium. It is better to cook with less salt, adding some natural seasoning like scallions, ginger, garlic, which not only enhances the taste of the dish but also helps stabilize blood pressure.
For those who like oily food, it’s best to avoid consuming too many sweets. Moderation is key, indulging occasionally in fried foods is okay, but consistently consuming greasy foods while not avoiding sweets is not ideal. Fats convert into energy, and sugars from sweets also convert into energy, resulting in fats and sugars mutually affecting each other, accumulating in the blood, increasing blood viscosity, leading to elevated blood pressure. If you enjoy oily fritters and desserts for breakfast, it’s important to control your intake, enjoying them occasionally rather than daily.
For those who love to drink, it’s best to avoid drinking tea. A significant portion of elevated blood pressure in men is closely related to alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol intake makes it difficult for other substances to metabolize, alcohol continuously stimulates blood vessels, causing an increase in blood pressure. Drinking tea after consuming alcohol can hinder the metabolism of alcohol due to substances like caffeine in tea, which is not beneficial for the body. If your blood pressure is already high, it’s even more important to avoid alcohol and strong tea.
There is a plant known as the “enemy” of high blood pressure, have you ever heard of it? It is called the Gastrodia Elata. In southern China, it is often likened to ginseng and is also known as “longevity grass” in folk culture. Drinking it infused in water has many benefits, especially suitable for people with high blood pressure as it helps cleanse fats from the blood, unclog blood vessels, and regulate blood pressure levels. Some elderly people with high blood pressure may have trouble sleeping, drinking it before bed can also help calm the mind, nourish the brain, regulate the nervous system, promote better sleep quality, which in turn helps lower blood pressure.
However, there are some precautions to take when infusing the Gastrodia Elata. It must be soaked in boiling water and consumed after four repetitions. This will allow the nutrients to fully release and maximize the benefits. Since it has a cooling nature, women should not consume too much, as it may not only be ineffective in stabilizing blood pressure but also potentially cause coldness in hands and feet.
High blood pressure is neither a minor nor major issue. By actively adjusting and changing your diet, blood pressure can be lowered, preventing other health problems. If high blood pressure is left unattended and dietary habits are unchanged, once it reaches a certain level, troubles will follow. Gastrodia Elata is not a common ingredient, but if you are willing to infuse it and drink it regularly for a period, your blood pressure will stabilize.
