People at risk of high blood pressure may want to consider incorporating a specific dried fruit into their daily snack routine. This vibrant orange delight is brimming with potassium, a crucial element in combating hypertension.
It's estimated that around one-third of all UK adults are grappling with high blood pressure, a condition often undetected. This means the heart has to exert more effort to circulate blood throughout the body, placing additional strain on the heart, other organs, and blood vessels, potentially causing damage.
Consequently, it plays a role in numerous severe health conditions and diseases, including heart disease, kidney disease, strokes, heart failure, and heart attacks.
Diet is one of the primary causes of high blood pressure, with foods high in salt being among the most detrimental.
Salt elevates blood pressure as the sodium prompts the body to retain water. Experts at the (BHF) clarify: "If we eat too much sodium, water is pulled back into our bloodstream."
"The more water in our blood vessels, the higher our blood pressure gets."
Therefore, reducing your salt intake is one method to help decrease your blood pressure.
However, there's also a way to mitigate the effects of salt on the body - by consuming foods rich in potassium. This mineral, found in certain foods, can alleviate some of the issues caused by excessive sodium consumption.
The (AHA) advises: "Foods that are rich in potassium are important in managing high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, because potassium lessens the effects of sodium. The more potassium you eat, the more sodium you lose through urine.
"Potassium also helps to ease tension in your blood vessel walls, which helps further lower blood pressure."
While bananas are a well-known source of potassium, providing 330mg per 100 grams, there's another fruit that packs an even bigger potassium punch. Dried apricots come in at about 1,162mg (or 1.1g) of potassium per 100g, making them significantly richer in potassium than their banana counterparts.
Health experts at note: "Since dried apricots contain potassium, they may be able to reduce blood pressure levels."
"Studies have shown that potassium could reduce high blood pressure in patients with hypertension (high blood pressure)."
Regular consumption of dried apricots has also been associated with various health benefits, including improved heart and eye health, enhanced immune system function, and a reduced risk of developing diabetes.
The list of potassium-rich foods doesn't end there, it also includes avocados, sweet potatoes, spinach, watermelon, coconut water, beans, legumes, tomato paste, butternut squash, Swiss chard, and beetroot.
To lower your blood pressure, the NHS recommends you:
If you are concerned about your blood pressure you should speak to your GP.
