Pharmaceutical ACE inhibitors are a big business and getting bigger every day. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medications that help relax the veins and arteries to lower blood pressure. However, they also come with a plethora of side effects. Fortunately, you don’t need to rely on drugs to manage your blood pressure and we’ll show you how.
According to one study, essential hypertension accounts for 95% of all cases of hypertension. Essential (primary) hypertension occurs when you have abnormally high blood pressure that’s not the result of a medical condition.
This form of high blood pressure is often due to obesity, family history and an unhealthy diet, which can cause a deficiency in key nutrients needed to maintain healthy blood pressure. This means that there’s a good chance that your high blood pressure is due to poor lifestyle habits.
In fact, the most common causes for increased blood pressure include obesity, insulin resistance, high alcohol intake, high salt intake (in salt-sensitive patients), living a sedentary lifestyle, stress, low potassium intake, and low calcium intake.
That’s because having either a potassium deficiency, low levels of vitamin D, high insulin, or a combination of the three can lead to stiffened arteries, which ultimately leads to high blood pressure.
So, if you don’t want to rely on prescription drugs in the long-run to manage your blood pressure because of all the unwanted side effects, making changes to your diet is your best alternative.
There is one particular smoothie you can make at home to help lower blood pressure. This drink combines well-documented ingredients that naturally contain antihypertensive compounds.
The recipe takes only 5 minutes to make and calls for seven ingredients, none of which are particularly hard to get.
Number 1. Two Teaspoons of Flaxseed
Flaxseed is a grain that contains high levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is a precursor to EPA and DHA, which are essential omega-3 fatty acids your body requires. When ingested in adequate amounts, it can help restore artery function.
In one study, 110 patients with high blood pressure and peripheral artery disease added 30 grams of milled flaxseed to their diet each day for six months. Results were compared to a similar group of people who added a placebo to their diets.
Can you guess what happened? That’s right, the group with the flaxseed in their diet showed a measurable decrease in blood pressure.
So go ahead and add flaxseed into your blender.
Number 2. Two Celery Stalks
Celery contains a phytochemical called phthalides. As an extract, it’s called NBP, and it helps relax the tissue of your artery walls to increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure.
Additionally, celery stalk contains very little to no salt and is high in fiber, magnesium and potassium, which can all help regulate your blood pressure.
Number 3. Half of an Avocado
Avocados can do wonders for your soaring blood pressure levels. Avocados are packed with oleic acid, which can reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Avocados are also rich in potassium and folate, both of which are good for the heart. Potassium in particular helps keep your arteries supple and elastic.
Number 4. An Ounce of Lemon Juice
Citrus fruits, including grapefruit, oranges, and lemons, have powerful blood-pressure-lowering effects. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that help keep your heart healthy by reducing high blood pressure.
Number 5. Half a Cup of Blueberries
Daily blueberry consumption can help reduce blood pressure and arterial stiffness, which is due, in part, to increased nitric oxide production.
In addition, blueberries contain a natural compound called anthocyanins, which has been found in many studies to protect against high blood pressure.
Number 6. Half a cup of Plain Kefir
The power behind kefir’s natural ability to lower blood pressure is in its bio-active peptides. Peptides are beneficial compounds derived from the proteins in the milk and mostly created during the fermentation process.
Bio-active peptides can help reduce blood pressure by lowering inflammation, improve immune and insulin modulation, and much more.
The last thing you’ll need for this smoothie is some water. Combining all of these antihypertensive ingredients together will definitely help reduce your blood pressure without the side effects of regular drugs.
Use this smoothie as a first step towards improving your diet.