Blood Pressure

 Print This Post

Rice (Brown)

174.   Rice, especially unpolished brown, has a low-fat, low-cholesterol and low-salt content. It makes a perfect diet for those hypertensive persons who have been advised salt-restricted diet. Calcium in brown rice, in particular, soothes and relaxes the nervous system and helps relieve the symptoms of high blood pressure.

Saffron (Kesar)

175.   Used widely in India, Saffron is part of the most expensive flower of the world. It is widely used as a medicine which strengthens and improves the functioning of the stomach and improves BP. Saffron contains a chemical called crocetin that lowers the blood pressure. You can use saffron in your cooking to help against hypertension.

Sesame (Til)

176.   Indian researchers have found that when hypertensive patients used sesame oil in place of the other oils in their diets, their BP readings dropped from an average of 166/101 to 134/85 in just two months. The reason? It may be polyunsaturated fatty acid (sesame oil contains 43% and olive oil 11%) as well as the compound sesamin, which inhibits the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol. 

Soyabean

177.   High in fibre and low in sodium, soyabean contains a complete profile of protein in high amounts and is an excellent substitute for meat protein for vegetarians. Soya has many therapeutic benefits, thanks to its excellent source of isoflavones, phytoesterogens, calcium, potassium, copper, iron, boron, lecithin, B complex vitamins, vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acid.

178.   Drinking soya milk regularly can lead to substantial reduction of blood pressure. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition, found that after drinking one litre of soya milk daily for 3 months, the average systolic pressure of a group of persons suffering from hypertension had decreased by 18 points and diastolic pressure had fallen by 16 points. This level of reduction was considered comparable to that seen with many prescription BP lowering drugs. Given the results of this study, soya milk may be a superior alternative for low fat dairy products for people consuming the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.