4 Nutritious foods that can help lower blood pressure when SHTF

Many Americans with hypertension tend to take prescription medications to reduce their blood pressure levels, but a lot of these drugs have unwanted side effects. Aside from this, using these medications, more often than not, leads to a lifelong dependency on the drugs, rather than resolving the health issue. Fortunately, there are alternative options that can lower your blood pressure levels naturally. Not only do they require no prescription, but they also come straight from Mother Nature. This means that even if you live off the grid, as long as you can grow these foods, you will always have access to them. Here are four nutritious superfoods that you can take to lower your blood pressure levels when SHTF. ( h/t to TheOrganicPrepper.com)

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are actually berries. With their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, pomegranates can clear out clogged arteries and improve your overall cardiovascular health. According to one study, drinking a cup of pomegranate juice a day can reduce high blood pressure, as well as lower levels of unsaturated fats in the blood. One of the main reasons why pomegranates are so effective at decreasing blood pressure levels is because they serve as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. By inhibiting ACE, pomegranates aid in the relaxation of blood vessels. This allows the blood vessels to open up more, which improves oxygen distribution and circulation. Eating other antioxidant-rich berries can further aid in lowering dangerously high blood pressure levels.

Beets

As one of the world’s healthiest vegetables, beets are loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and cardio-boosting nutrients that can support healthy heart function. Some of the nutrients that can be found in beets include potassium, iron, and nitrates, which all play important roles in managing blood pressure. Inside the human body, nitrates are converted into a gas called nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels and aids in blood circulation. Just like with pomegranates, a study found that taking 100 g of beetroot juice could decrease blood pressure levels in as little as 24 hours. (Related: Effective Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure That You Should Know.)

Lentils

Lentils are highly nutritious and edible seeds from the legume family. Regularly consuming lentils can provide a twofold effect of dropping both your blood sugar and your blood pressure levels. One study found that lentils could alter the physical properties of blood vessels. This change allowed the blood vessels to better resemble those found in healthy animals. Lentils are excellent sources of protein and dietary fiber, but more than that, they contain incredibly high levels of potassium. Even just 100 g of split red lentils are loaded with more potassium than your average banana.

Flaxseed

This superfood can provide a bounty of nutrients, including omega-3 essential fatty acids, lignans, protein and dietary fiber. The high content of healthy fats in flaxseeds can reduce inflammation in your body and promote the overall health of your heart and circulatory system. According to research, the consumption of flaxseeds was linked to a reduction of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Scientists believe that this effect might be due to the high concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that can be found in flaxseeds.

Learn more about these nutritional powerhouses at SuperfoodsNews.com.

Sources include:

TheOrganicPrepper.com

AVogel.co.uk

RD.com