What Should the Diet of a Person with Hypertension Look Like

75 million American adults have hypertension. That means one in every 3 adults is suffering from the disease.

The key to living with this disease is in maintaining a healthy level of blood pressure. Along with the medicines that the doctor prescribes to hypertension patients, what they eat matters equally.

While there are many uncontrollable factors at play here, their diet is one thing that can be controlled, keeping their blood pressure at ideal levels.

Here’s how the diet of a person with hypertension should look like:

Berries

In addition to being delicious, berries are rich in chemical compounds called flavonoids. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, these compounds are very effective in reducing blood pressure.

Adding berries in your diet is not a problem at all. You can enjoy them with your oatmeal, or you can consume them as your daily desserts.

Green Vegetables

Most green vegetables, especially the leafy ones are rich in potassium. They give a boost to the kidneys and help it get rid of sodium from our body.

Green vegetables basically detoxify the body and ensure that the blood pressure remains under control.

The following leafy greens must be incorporated into the diet of every patient of hypertension:

  • Kale
  • Romaine Lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Arugula
  • Collard Green
  • Turnip Greens

 Oatmeal

Oatmeal is an all-rounder when it comes to containing nutrients. It is high in fiber, and provides a low-fat and low-sodium meal to keep a firm control on the blood pressure levels of the patients. Patients of hypertension must be fed oatmeal at breakfast on a daily basis to maintain their health and stay fueled throughout the day.

One popular and well-liked method of consuming oatmeal at breakfast is leaving it to soak in milk overnight. In the morning, add your favorite fruits in the oatmeal and enjoy the healthy breakfast. It will keep a firm hold on your blood pressure levels.

Limited Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is bad for health in general, but it is especially harmful for people with hypertension. Even people who do not have hypertension experience a rise in their blood pressure levels, and those who suffer from this ailment can be seriously affected from alcohol intake.

It’s best to watch your intake of alcohol and limit it to one drink a day, max

If you or someone you know is a patient of hypertension, make sure that their diet is well taken care of. You can also get in touch with a professional for home care assistance with maintaining the diet of a hypertension patient.