As people’s living standards continue to improve, the phenomenon of “three highs” has become increasingly prominent, especially with more and more people suffering from hypertension. Elevated blood pressure not only can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels throughout the body but can also lead to severe complications such as coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure, potentially endangering life. So, how can people with high blood pressure lower it? In addition to necessary medical treatment, good lifestyle habits and appropriate dietary adjustments are crucial.
Naturally found “antihypertensive drugs,” eat a little every day, and blood pressure will quietly decrease.
1. Onion
Onions are a great vegetable for lowering blood pressure. Regularly eating onions can dilate peripheral arteries and reduce peripheral vascular resistance, countering the effects of elevating substances like catecholamines in the body, thereby lowering blood pressure. Additionally, the prostaglandin A found in onions is a natural blood thinner that helps reduce blood viscosity and coronary artery resistance while increasing blood flow, which is beneficial for preventing and treating hypertension and thrombosis.
2. Celery
Celery contains various antihypertensive components, has blood pressure-lowering and vasodilating effects, and can prevent atherosclerosis. Compounds like apigenin in celery can inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and promote the relaxation of these cells, which reduces the resistance of small peripheral arteries and restores the elasticity of blood vessel walls.
3. Spinach
Spinach is effective in promoting blood circulation, easing breathing, regulating the stomach, quenching thirst, and moistening dryness. Regularly consuming spinach can also help lower blood pressure, especially the roots of spinach, which are particularly effective in reducing blood pressure.
4. Chives
Chives contain sulfides, which have antibacterial properties and enhance immunity. Sulfides also have the important function of dilating blood vessels and lowering blood lipids. People with high blood pressure might consider frequently eating chives; they not only can lower blood pressure but also improve kidney function.
5. Bitter melon
The saponins in bitter melon have insulin-like effects and can stimulate insulin release, reducing insulin resistance and lowering triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, which decreases the risk of atherosclerosis and, consequently, hypertension.
6. Cucumber
Cucumbers can lower blood pressure as well as blood lipids. Hypertensive patients who are overweight should consume more cucumbers, as they can help lower blood pressure while also aiding in weight loss. Cucumbers are also rich in potassium, which is another reason they can help lower blood pressure.
