High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that can lead to serious health problems including heart attacks and strokes. But some foods can help lower your blood pressure naturally
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common health issue, particularly amongst the older generation. However, its prevalence doesn’t lessen the severity of this health concern, which can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
Worryingly, it often goes undetected due to its lack of noticeable symptoms.
There are numerous factors that can heighten your risk of high blood pressure, including being overweight and maintaining an unhealthy diet. Scientists have specifically cautioned against consuming one particular food if you wish to reduce your chances of developing high blood pressure.
However, focusing on a healthy, balanced diet with limited salt intake can help lower your blood pressure. Cheese may not be the first food that comes to mind when considering a healthy diet, especially given its typically high salt content – in fact, a portion of cheddar can contain more salt than a packet of crisps, according to the British Heart Foundation.
However, cheese does offer some health benefits. It’s produced through fermentation, which is beneficial for your gut microbiome and overall gut health, and is a rich source of nutrients such as calcium, fat, protein and vitamins, reports Surrey Live.
Picking the right cheese could be a secret weapon in managing your blood pressure, according to Eating Well. This is partly due to research indicating that an increase in calcium intake “slightly reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure”.
Researchers said this “suggests a role in the prevention of hypertension” and that “even small reductions in blood pressure could have important health implications for reducing vascular disease”.
Another piece of research began with the premise that “epidemiologic evidence suggests that low-fat dairy consumption may lower risk of hypertension”. Following their investigation, the researchers concluded that “low-fat dairy consumption was associated with lower blood pressure” and that “dairy-rich nutrients including phosphorus and calcium may have contributed to the beneficial associations with blood pressure”.
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Naturally, if you’re dealing with high blood pressure or are worried about it, it’s crucial to seek professional medical advice. However, dietitians have recommended four cheeses that could aid in blood pressure management, according to Eating Well.
1. Swiss Cheese
“Swiss has the lowest sodium, at 54 milligrams per ounce,” Lauren Trahan, a registered dietitian, told the website.
“It’s just not as heavily processed, so it’s a naturally lower-sodium cheese.”
It also boasts 252mg of calcium.
2. Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella clocks in at 85 mg of sodium per ounce.
3. Goat’s cheese
Registered dietitian Susie Polgreen revealed to Eating Well that goat’s cheese is a top pick, containing 118 mg of sodium and 85g of calcium.
4. Ricotta
A half-cup serving of ricotta boasts 135 mg of sodium and 289 mg of calcium.