If you’re struggling with health issues related to high blood pressure and hypertension, then it’s time you took some serious measures towards making better lifestyle choices, particularly in relation to diet and exercise.

Symptoms of high blood pressure include: fatigue, headaches, chest pains, difficulty breathing, to name a few.  Needless to say, this will not only compromise your quality of life, but your overall efficiency and productivity will decline over time. 

Though much of these symptoms may not occur until you’re passed the tipping point, at which point, medication will be required, but why wait until then? If the problem has already been recognized, then the good news is, there are things we can do to get ourselves back on track. 

Ideally, your better lifestyle choices should include things like staying sufficiently hydrated, exercising more, reducing or cutting out processed sugars, cigarette and alcohol, and maintaining a healthy diet. All these things in unison will most certainly play a huge roll in lowering BP, improving your quality of life and enhancing your efficiency and productivity in the workplace.

Wondering what foods could help? Here’s a list to get you started:

12 Foods that Lower Blood Pressure

1. Citrus fruits, such as grapefruit
2. Fatty fish, such as salmon
3. Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale
4. Nuts and seeds, such as pumpkin seeds and almonds
5. Legumes, such as lentils
6. Berries, all kinds of berries!
7. Whole grains, such as oats, quinoa and farro (to name a few)
8. Unsaturated fats, such as olive oil
9. Potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, tomatoes and apricots
10. Healthy dairy, such as milk and yogurt
11. Dark Chocolate
12. Hibiscus tea & cinnamon (brew the tea overnight with 1 stick of cinnamon and drink it first thing in the morning)

All these items are high in vitamins and minerals and anti-inflammatory components, which work well towards reducing hypertension and improving overall health.

Check out yufeed for recipes containing these ingredients to help with your weekly meal planning. Don’t have time to cook? No problem, just opt for some easier options, such as a bowl of overnight oats topped with blueberries or sliced bananas, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, or a healthy smoothie… the options are endless if you set your mind to it.  Let’s get going, no time like the present!