High blood pressure sustained over a length of time is a health risk. More than that, it could put your life in danger, increasing the chances of heart failure. Eat this 13p fruit to help lower your blood pressure today.
The American Heart Association (AHA) noted that foods “rich in potassium are important in managing high blood pressure”.
Potassium lessens the effects of sodium (salt), as more hypertensive salt is removed from the body.
Additionally, potassium helps to ease tension in the blood vessel walls, thereby reducing blood pressure readings.
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The AHA remarked that the recommended potassium intake for an average adult is 4,700mg per day.
Harvard Medical School added that potassium is vital for muscle function, and confirmed potassium really does “relax the walls of blood vessels”.
The organisation said: “A number of studies have shown an association between low potassium intake and increased blood pressure and higher risk of stroke.
“On the flip side, people who already have high blood pressure can significantly lower their systolic (top number) blood pressure by increasing their potassium intake.”
A high blood pressure reading, such as 140/90mmHg, is deciphered as follows: the first number (systolic) represents the force of blood against the artery walls when the heart beats.
The second number (diastolic) represents how much pressure the blood is exerting against the artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.
So, what’s the 13p fruit that can help lower your blood pressure reading and thus is the perfect addition to your cereal bowl? The answer is a banana.
One medium banana contains about 422mg of potassium – and paired with a bowl of low-fat yoghurt and berries is a great way to start the day.
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A study published in the medical journal Current Science investigated the link between bananas and hypertension.
The research team recruited volunteers from the Kasturba medical college in Manipal, southern India.
Eating two bananas daily for a week was shown to reduce blood pressure readings by 10 percent.
The researchers noted that the natural compounds in bananas act in a similar way to anti-hypertensive drugs.
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High blood pressure: The breakfast that could lower your reading
The AHA wants people with kidney disorders to be wary of consuming too much potassium.
If the kidneys are unable to remove excess potassium from the body, you may start to feel sick.
Another symptom of high potassium (hyperkalemia) is a low, weak or irregular pulse and fainting.
Kidney disorders include chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, glomerulonephritis and polycystic kidney disease.
However, should you not have any kidney troubles, then consuming a banana for breakfast will be beneficial.
Not only do bananas help to reduce high blood pressure with its potassium content, it also supports heart health.
Medical News Today stated bananas contain fibre, folate, and antioxidants, such as vitamin C, which all support the heart muscle.
Scientists from the National University of Health Sciences, Illinois (USA), conducted a review that revealed people who followed a high fibre diet had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who didn’t.
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