When blood pressure goes unchecked, it can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke.One of your first lines of defense against high blood pressure (hypertension) is your diet. Adopting a blood pressure-friendly diet may help keep your blood pressure within a healthy range without the side effects caused by medications.In addition to certain foods that may help lower your blood pressure, some types of drinks may also be helpful.In this article, we’ll take a deeper dive into 7 different types of drinks that may help lower your blood pressure.
1. Tomato juice
Growing evidence suggests that drinking one glass of tomato juice per day may promote heart health.
In a 2019 study, Japanese researchers evaluated the effects of drinking an average of one cup of tomato juice per day among participants with risk factors for heart disease.
They concluded that tomato juice improved both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as LDL cholesterol. Other recent studies have reported similar results among people with stage 1 hypertension and pregnant women.
To avoid unnecessary sodium, which can have the opposite effect on blood pressure, make sure to buy unsalted tomato juice.
2. Beet juice
Not only do these colorful, low-calorie vegetables contain a host of health-promoting vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, but they may also help lower blood pressure.
A randomized pilot study from 2016 found that the juice of both raw and cooked beets improved blood pressure. However, raw beet juice had a greater impact on blood pressure.
Beets are rich in dietary nitrates, a compound known to have blood pressure-lowering effects. In a 2017 review, researchers found that these benefits were greater than the effects of nitrates alone.
In other words, other heart-friendly compounds are likely at play as well.
Try this simple beetroot juice recipe to lower blood pressure.