Have you ever heard of potassium? Maybe you’ve seen it on the nutrients list on your favorite sports drink, or on the detailed description of a menu in your favorite restaurant. The fact is that potassium can be found in a lot of different foods.
But wait a minute – we are talking about high blood pressure on this blog, aren’t we? Why are you talking about potassium then?
Well, I guess that’s my move now. I am going to tell you, how potassium is directly related to your blood pressure score. Fasten your seat belt, breath in and dive into this wonderful blog post:
Potassium lowers blood pressure
Okay, be honest with me. You know, that this is gonna happen. Of course, I am only writing about stuff that will help you improve your blood pressure levels. That’s why I am talking about potassium today.
Let’s spit the facts:
- Potassium is naturally found in the body.
- The primary function is maintaining normal levels of fluid inside your cells.
- Potassium is supporting normal blood pressure levels
- Potassium is helping your muscles to contract.
- The most common medication is Losartan (potassium)
Increasing potassium intake decreases your blood pressure and the risk of heart disease and strokes. The antipode of potassium is sodium, which sucks fluids out of your body. If you consume too much sodium, you will automatically increase your blood pressure, leading to hypertension and heart disease, and stroke risk.
Get into action
As you know now, potassium is good for you and sodium is not, here’s what you should do now, if you are serious about improving your blood pressure levels:
As we all know there are three major ways to improve your blood pressure levels:
Our topic is this article about potassium is all about nutrition, so let’s get started:
What you should eat
Here’s a helpful list of potassium-rich foods, that you should eat, when you’re suffering from high blood pressure. Disclaimer: Consult with your doctor first, if you are already taking potassium-rich medication.
- Avocado
- Beans
- Lentils
- Spinach
- Coconut water
- Oranges
- Tomatoes
- Salmon
- Yogurt
- Chicken
You’ll find more on the website of Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
What you shouldn’t eat
Americans consume more than 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium each day, on average, and 9 out of 10 American children consume way too much sodium. As your body holds on to water, due to the high consumption of sodium, your blood pressure increases. Well, most of our sodium intake is coming from salt, but there are some more foods we should reduce, in order to do our health a favor. Here’s a list of foods, you should avoid:
- Salted nuts
- Pizza
- Smoked meat
- Bacon
- Ham
- Sausage
- Regular and processed cheese
- Buttermilk
- Cottage cheese
- Bouillon
- Olives
- Pickles
- Sauerkraut
- Soy sauce
- Instant pudding
And the list goes on. You’ll find even more on the homepage of the University of California San Francisco.
Well, that’s it! Another short but valuable blog post, which helps you lower your blood pressure levels for a better life. I hope I was able to improve your quality of life, and I am looking forward to your next visit to my blog!
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