High blood pressure affects about half of all adults in the United States, increasing their risk of stroke and heart disease. Although this figure is alarming, the good news is that there are steps that can be taken to help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.
There are several evidence-based ways to naturally promote a healthy blood pressure, from adopting the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet to avoiding cigarette smoking.
And, given that over 34 percent of Americans take dietary supplements, it’s fair to say that popping a pill to cope with high blood pressure is a normal occurrence. There are a few supplements worth mentioning among the sea of supplements available on drug store shelves that may help lower blood pressure.
Here are eight supplements to consider if you want to maintain a healthy blood pressure, as long as you get your doctor’s approval first (since some supplements may interact with your current medication). Continue reading, and don’t skip 20 Healthiest Foods That Lower Blood Pressure for more on healthy eating.
1. Hesperidin
When you sip a glass of 100% orange juice or bite into a juicy grapefruit, you’re getting a good dose of hesperidin, a flavonoid contained naturally in citrus fruits. In pre- and stage-1 hypertensive individuals, hesperidin consumption is related to lower systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure.
While a glass of 100% OJ is ideal, if citrus isn’t your thing, you can take a hesperidin supplement. Check out these Side Effects of Drinking Too Much Orange Juice, According to Science for more information.