Five superfoods to keep hypertension at bay

Hypertension is one of the most common diseases and often termed as a "silent killer". The condition exhibits no symptoms even if blood pressure reaches a dangerously high level, making a person prone to having a cardiac arrest or stroke.

With the fast-paced life and demanding work schedules, everyone is under a significant level of stress. The pandemic has further escalated the stress levels due to work from home, resulting in longer working hours.

Hypertension refers to a condition where the long-term force of the blood is unusually high against the artery walls leading to several other diseases over time, notes Sharanya S Shastry, dietician at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Bangalore.

Regular headaches, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath are a few symptoms of high blood pressure, these are not specific to only hypertension and don't occur till the blood pressure is at a severely increased level, says the expert.

According to Shastry, including a few foods in the daily diet can help manage hypertension as these foods have medicinal properties.

This delicious fruit contains antioxidants and bioactive polyphenols, which possess many medicinal qualities beneficial for hypertension. One can simply include a bowl of the fresh fruit as their mid-morning snack.

High blood pressure can narrow down the blood vessels, and jamun contains potassium, which is good for the muscles. Besides being a wonder fruit for hypertension, jamun is also good for managing elevated cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

This has been a go-to super food for Olympians as it contains natural nitrates, which are converted into nitric oxide by the digestive system. A glass of raw beetroot juice or a cooked vegetarian dish of beetroot can significantly reduce high blood pressure levels in 2-3 hours of consumption.

Garlic has been known to have medicinal properties for ages as it produces a natural compound called allicin on being crushed or chopped. It can bring blood pressure down instantly and is an excellent option to be added to the everyday food intake of hypertension patients.

Both leaves and seeds of fenugreek are rich in fibre, calcium and they reduce the level of LDL/TG in the body resulting in bringing the blood pressure down.

Foods that have a proven history of helping maintain a healthy blood pressure level. A combination of these and a moderate level of physical activity daily can significantly help manage hypertension.

As we wait for this pandemic to pass, it is imperative that health becomes of prime importance in order to boost immunity and battle the consequences of the virus.