Potassium and sodium are key electrolytes that work as a see-saw to influence blood volume. If there’s too much sodium in the body, blood volume will increase and cause high blood pressure.
You may not need a good reason to eat chocolate, but here’s a good one just in case: According to a review of 35 different studies, the flavanols in dark chocolate and cocoa products may have a blood pressure-lowering effect.
Swiss chard, spinach and beet greens are all rich sources of potassium — even more so than apricots. Not to mention, these vegetables offer antioxidants, fiber and vitamin K without adding significant calories.
Calcium is another important nutrient when it comes to high blood pressure because it helps control your blood vessels’ ability to contract and produce resistance.
While tomatoes may be botanically classified as a fruit, they act like a vegetable. Tomatoes are a low-glycemic food, which means they won’t significantly raise blood sugar levels.
Potatoes have a bad reputation when it comes to weight management and blood sugar control. The fact is potatoes can easily fit into a healthy diet, especially if you’re trying to get more magnesium and potassium for blood pressure control.
Researchers in Spain studied the effects of walnuts on blood pressure over a two-year period. Their findings showed “walnut consumption reduces systolic BP in elderly subjects, particularly in those with mild hypertension,” meaning individuals with a systolic blood pressure exceeding 125 mm Hg.