Keeping the blood pressure under control is one of the fundamental pillars to protect our heart. And while medications are essential in many cases, the truth is that diet plays a very important role in whether it goes down or up. Cardiologist Aurelio Rojas has shared on his social networks a list with the five foods backed by science that help to lower blood pressure naturally. And, best of all, there is one food that has surprised everyone by looking like a “guilty pleasure” from the outside: dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate can be ideal
The main star of Dr. Rojas’s list is, without a doubt, chocolate. However, not every chocolate will do; it must be real dark chocolate. According to the cardiologist, this food “is loaded with magnesium and flavonoids that lower blood pressure by increasing the production of nitric oxide.” This helps the blood vessels to dilate and relax, allowing blood to flow more easily and reducing the resistance that hypertension creates.
The other four foods that support your health
Besides chocolate, the specialist proposes four other foods that are very easy to find anywhere and that will help you naturally lower your blood pressure and that you should start incorporating into your diet:
1. Bananas
According to the expert, one of the biggest enemies of high blood pressure is salt. That’s why bananas are an excellent ally to counter it: “they are rich in potassium and help decrease blood pressure by aiding the kidneys in eliminating the excess sodium,” notes Rojas. This is because more potassium makes it easier for your body to get rid of the surplus salt through urine.
2. Beetroot
This vegetable is a superfood for your arteries. The doctor states that beetroot “can improve blood pressure due to its high nitrate content, which the body converts into nitric oxide.” Just as with chocolate, these natural nitrates widen the arteries and lower the pressure almost immediately.
3. Pomegranates
This fruit is not only antioxidant-rich but also acts in a very similar way to some heart-protective drugs. In the cardiologist’s words, studies have shown that pomegranates reduce blood pressure “thanks to lowering the levels of the angiotensin-converting enzyme.”
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James Whitaker
I’m James Whitaker, a UK-based journalist focused on emerging trends and everyday stories gaining attention across the country. I cover the topics people start talking about before they fully break into the mainstream. My work aims to stay clear, factual, and closely connected to how news is actually consumed today.