"More Effective Than Cutting Salt"...Eat This Food First to Lower Blood Pressure

"Potassium-Rich Foods More Effective Than Sodium Restriction
for Lowering Blood Pressure"
Found in Bananas, Broccoli, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes,
Avocados, Beans, and Nuts

A study has found that eating more potassium-rich foods such as bananas is more effective in lowering blood pressure than reducing salt intake.

According to The Sun and other sources on April 20, researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada published a study in the American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology. They advised that, in order to control blood pressure more efficiently, it is important not only to reduce salt intake but also to include potassium-rich foods such as bananas in the diet.

A study has revealed that eating more potassium-rich foods such as bananas is more effective in lowering blood pressure than reducing salt intake. Pixabay

The research team developed a mathematical model to understand how increasing potassium intake helps regulate blood pressure. Using this model, they simulated the effects of the potassium-to-sodium ratio on the body. The results showed that doubling potassium intake reduced blood pressure by up to 14 mmHg in men and up to 10 mmHg in women. Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher.

Dr. Anita Layton, one of the researchers, explained, "People with hypertension are generally advised to reduce their salt intake. However, our study found that increasing the consumption of potassium-rich foods such as bananas and broccoli may have a greater positive impact on blood pressure than simply reducing sodium intake."

A study published in April last year also confirmed that increasing daily potassium intake by just 1 gram (equivalent to two medium-sized bananas) was effective in improving hypertension. Representative potassium-rich foods include bananas, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados, beans, nuts, and dried apricots. In addition to increasing potassium intake, reducing alcohol, tobacco, and coffee consumption, as well as exercising regularly for heart and vascular health, are recommended to lower blood pressure. Weight loss is also known to be highly effective in preventing an increase in blood pressure.