Health
Want to lower blood pressure? A cardiologist recommends 1 vegetable
Key Points
Want to lower blood pressure? A cardiologist recommends 1 vegetable If you are at risk of high blood pressure, it's very important to make sure you lessen the health risks. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common worry for many people across the UK.
Want to lower blood pressure? A cardiologist recommends 1 vegetable
If you are at risk of high blood pressure, it's very important to make sure you lessen the health risks.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common worry for many people across the UK. If left unchecked, it can cause all manner of health complications from heart attacks to cognitive decline. And over time, it can damage your blood vessels and organs and lead to serious health issues.
It’s very important to have regular check ins with your GP if you are at risk of high blood pressure, as certain medications can help to treat it. However, diet changes and exercise can also be a big help.
According to Dr. Annapoorna Kini, a cardiologist at the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York, there is one vegetable that can help to keep blood pressure in check.
Speaking to TODAY.com, Dr Kini said: “If you really want to know what decreases blood pressure, it is beet — beet root. It works on the (blood) vessel wall — dilates the smooth muscle of the vessel wall. That way, your vessel remains pliable."
As you age, blood vessels become more rigid as people get older and plaque begins to build up in the arteries. As arteries stiffen, people can develop high blood pressure.
What are the risks of high blood pressure?
According to the NHS, there are several complications that can arise from high blood pressure. They are:
- Heart attacks and heart disease
- Strokes
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease and failure
- Aortic aneurysm
- Vascular dementia and cognitive decline
- Vision loss
- Sexual dysfunction
How can I lower my risk of high blood pressure?
According to registered dietician Natalie Rizzo, nitric oxide is a good way to lower the risk. She said it is a “potent vasodilator that opens the blood vessels and promotes blood flow throughout the body”.
As Dr Kini said, beetroot is a vegetable that is very high in nitrates. When you add beetroot to your diet, your body converts them into nitric oxide, which can lower blood pressure.
You can also eat the tops of beetroots to heighten the effect. She recommends cooking the greens with olive oil, a little garlic and a pinch of salt. They make a great addition to soups, salads, or casseroles.