Hypertension is a condition that many Americans experience, and for many, a condition that sneaks up as we get older. The good news is that there are ways to control it. One of the simplest ways to either prevent high blood pressure or reduce high blood pressure symptoms is to make dietary changes.
The DASH Diet which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension is an eating plan that appears to be backed by science. The diet does not require rigid eating plans or supplementation, but merely suggests that folks maintain a low-fat diet rich in dairy products, legumes, whole grains, poultry, fish, seeds, fruits and vegetables.
According to an article published on Health.com, following the low-sodium Dash Diet can help reduce systolic blood pressure by 12 points and diastolic blood pressure by about six points. This eating plan may not only help reduce high blood pressure, but may also help lower cholesterol levels.
Some of the easiest ways to curb high blood pressure are to cut back on processed foods, which tend to be high in sodium. Even canned soups and luncheon meats are culprits. Eating foods that are high in calcium, magnesium and potassium, as well as eliminating high-fat foods, may prove to make a difference.
There are, of course, other ways to reduce high blood pressure symptoms besides strictly following the DASH Diet. However, dieters or those suffering from hypertension may wish to follow the basic idea behind the DASH Diet in order to help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Whether or not the DASH Diet is the preferred choice, most people could benefit from its basic principles.
