Millions of Americans each year are plagued with high blood pressure.  This epidemic has swept across the nation and now millions are looking for both natural and medical solutions for their high blood pressure condition.  In fact, high blood pressure is quickly becoming one of the number one leading causes of premature death in America.

Luckily, research has shown that there are foods that help lower blood pressure naturally and effectively.  Also, these superfoods have been used for centuries and are extremely safe unlike most high blood pressure medication which has proven to be dangerous when taken long term.

Below you will find a list of the best foods for high blood pressure that is backed by scientific research.  These foods can be incorporated into a well-planned out high blood pressure diet in order to promote normal blood pressure.

What to eat to Lower Blood Pressure

If you’re unsure about how to eat properly, we highly recommend you read the book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Dr. Weston A. Price.  Dr. Price was a dentist who observed robust health and protection from degenerative disease among the native people in which he studied.  He found that following a traditional diet is essential to preserving health and properly maintaining the body.  None of the tribes in which Dr. Price studied exhibited problems such as high blood pressure or hypertension (1).

Following the diet guidelines outlined in Dr. Price’s book and incorporating the foods below can make for an excellent high blood pressure diet.  But first, let’s talk about salt and its role in high blood pressure.

Salt Is Not the Enemy

One of the biggest myths surrounding high blood pressure and its many causes is SALT.  Salt has received a bad rap over the years by mainstream media and many are following a diet that is dangerously low in salt.  This is because all the studies pointing towards salt being bad for high blood pressure are using table salt (NaCl). This type of salt is highly processed and devoid of all the minerals you would find in a quality Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt.

Sodium is mandatory in order for survival. It’s an essential mineral needed by the human body on a daily basis.  In fact, low salt diets can cause poor digestion or acid reflux since the chloride found in salt is needed to manufacture and maintain healthy stomach acid levels in the body.

In fact, a study published in Food & Nutrition Research found that natural sea salt consumption actually protects against hypertension and kidney damage (2).

A good quality sea salt can and should be part of a well-planned out high blood pressure diet.  So stop needlessly fearing the salt!

Foods for High Blood Pressure

Aged Garlic and Blood Pressure

Aged garlic is one of the best foods to lower blood pressure naturally.  This food has been researched extensively in its ability to lower blood pressure in individuals suffering from high blood pressure.  Aged Garlic also has the added benefit of not causing the dreaded garlic breath or odor after consuming it.  This is great news for anyone who avoids garlic because of the after smell.

Research published in Integrated Blood Pressure Control found that aged garlic extract was effective at reducing blood pressure in a large group of patients with uncontrolled hypertension and has the ability to improve several cardiovascular markers (3).

The best aged garlic extract on the market today is Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract.  It’s the only aged garlic extract on the market that is backed by research and proven to work (4).

You could also make your own aged garlic at home by simply combing oregano, peeled garlic cloves, and raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar.   Add all these ingredients into a mason jar ensuring to add enough raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar until the garlic cloves float.  Put a lid on the mason jar and wait a few months for the aging process to finish.

Both methods will work amazingly for high blood pressure. However, taking an aged garlic extract such as Kyolic may be a bit more convenient since the aging process is already done for you.

Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals that can naturally lower high blood pressure.  Cod liver oil is full of vitamin d, vitamin a, vitamin k2, omega 3s DHA and EPA, and an abundance of trace minerals.  All these nutrients found in cod liver oil make it an excellent addition to anyone following a high blood pressure diet.

In fact, more and more research is beginning to reveal that vitamin D plays an important role in preventing hypertension development and that a vitamin D defiency is prevalent in those suffering from high blood pressure (5).

Luckily, a spoonful a day of cod liver oil is all you need to achieve the recommended value of vitamin D for the day.  As an added bonus, you will be taking in the beneficial omega 3’s DHA and EPA which both contain anti-inflammatory properties and protect against degenerative disease (6).

Ghee

Ghee is an ancient Indian Yogi secret that has been used for centuries for its many healing properties and its ability to nourish the body on both the physical, mental, cellular level.  Ghee is an excellent source of vitamin D, vitamin k2, vitamin a, calcium, and essential fatty acids.  When used daily, ghee makes for one of the best foods for high blood pressure and lowering it naturally.

The vitamin K2 found in ghee can help combat high blood pressure issues in hypertensive individuals due to its ability to allow vitamin D to be used more effectively.  Research indicates that the combination of low vitamin D and K2 is associated with increased risk of developing high blood pressure in the body (7).

Ghee contains both K2 and vitamin D making it extremely useful for anyone following a high blood pressure diet.   It tastes great and can be added to any dish or food that you normal would use butter or oil.

Since ghee is also an excellent source of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), you naturally increase your body’s ability to lose weight and burn fat (8).

Reishi Mushroom

Not enough can be said about reishi mushroom and its many health giving properties.  In ancient China this mushroom was often referred to as the “Mushroom of Immortally.”  If you’re looking for foods to eat to lower blood pressure, you will definitely want to incorporate reishi into your high blood pressure diet.  There is ongoing research showing that reishi can naturally lower blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure.

A study published in Scientific Reports found that Ganoderma Lucidum (reishi) showed promising potential in its ability to improve multiple cardiovascular markers such as high blood pressure (9).

However, one of the main benefits reishi mushroom offers to those suffering from abnormally high blood pressure levels is its ability to reduce stress.  Out of all the medicinal herbs used for stress, reishi mushroom is probably the best.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been using reishi mushroom for centuries in order to combat and diminish stress levels in the body.  It’s also extremely safe when used long term and is considered a tonic (to be used daily) herb in Chinese medicine.

It’s well known that high stress levels in the body correlates to high blood pressure and increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (10).

Manuka Honey

Besides tasting amazing, raw Manuka honey coming from worker bees pollinating the Manuka bush in New Zealand makes an excellent addition to a high blood pressure diet.  For centuries this particular honey was prized among natives for its ability to promote and restore health in the body.

The polyphenols found in raw Manuka honey act as natural antioxidants and help protect the body from developing cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure (11).

As well as being great for the cardiovascular system, Manuka honey contains several antimicrobial properties that defend against pathogenic bacteria and viruses.

In fact, researchers have found that Manuka honey inhibits activity of the flu virus and stops it from replicating in the body (12).

Serious consideration should be put into using a raw Manuka honey daily for those looking for ways on how to lower high blood pressure.  As an added bonus, you will receive protection from various pathogenic bacteria and viruses.  It’s a win win!

Conclusion

These are the best foods for anyone trying to naturally lower high blood pressure.  As well as taking these foods daily, it’s important that you follow a high blood pressure diet.  This will ensure you get the best results.  As discussed earlier, it’s highly recommended that you read Dr. Weston A. Prices book.  You can also visit the Weston price foundation that has thousands of articles on traditional diets and what you should be eating for optimal health.