3 Items Help Lower Blood Pressure Reading When Sprinkled On Porridge

Government agencies in the UK reveal that more than one in four persons suffers from high blood pressure. The problem is many of them do not even know they have it; thus, go one with their daily activities without even thinking about the condition. Over time, this can prove to be fatal

High blood pressure occurs when the force of the blood pushing against artery walls is consistently too great. This causes the arteries to become narrow.

While this occurrence may not generate any negative outcome during the initial stages, it may trigger a heart attack if this goes on for a long time. This is because the narrowing of arteries may restrict your heart’s blood supply.

Fortunately, this condition is preventable. You just have to make some simple and healthy changes in your lifestyle.

Healthy Lifestyle Changes

One of the best ways to lower your blood pressure is by observing a heart-healthy diet. Having a healthy diet plays a critical role in your goal of lowering blood pressure readings. There is even a growing body of evidence that suggests that adding certain ingredients to your meals can have a significantly positive effect. Several studies have indicated that sprinkling these three ingredients on your porridge can help lower your blood pressure readings.

Sweet Berries

Research has established that strawberries and blueberries are abundant in antioxidant compounds that are called anthocyanins. A plant chemical, anthocyanin, has been proven to improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure readings, as well as improving endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is a condition where the endothelial layer or the inner lining of your small arteries fails to do its vital functions.

Flax Seeds

Several studies that have investigated the health benefits of consuming flax seeds recognized its natural ability to help lower blood pressure readings.

In one such study, volunteers were asked to consume 30 grams of flax seeds every day for six months. At the end of the study period, researchers found the volunteers enjoyed lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure by approximately 10 mmHg and 7 mmHg, respectively.

Cinnamon

Many have enjoyed cinnamon with your porridge as it made the food taste better. Do you know that aside from making your porridge taste better, cinnamon can also help lower your blood pressure?

A recent analysis of three studies found that cinnamon was able to lower, at least for the short term, blood pressure. Researchers found that cinnamon can lower systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure by 5.39 mm Hg and 2.6 mm Hg, respectively.

The Practice of Sprinkling These Ingredients on Porridge

You may ask why sprinkle them on your porridge? Oats have a type of fiber referred to as beta-glucan. This fiber helps in reducing blood cholesterol levels, which is the main cause of heart disease linked to high blood pressure. While beta-glucans have the ability to lower blood pressure on its own, you will be fortifying it by adding the three ingredients, namely, berries, flax seeds, and cinnamon.