Lowering Blood Pressure with Broccoli

My four year old daughter loves broccoli and I couldn’t be happier about that. Especially since broccoli is a well-known regular for healthy eating. You may already know the super-food reputation this cruciferous veggie has because of its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. But what you may not know is that, when it comes lowering blood pressure, broccoli is another winner.

Here’s How it Works:
Loaded with fiber, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C, broccoli’s nutritional properties can help lower blood pressure. Just one cup of broccoli gives you more than 200 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Research suggests that vitamin C helps reduce blood pressure by protecting nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow. While theories vary, scientists agree: Antioxidant vitamin C helps normalize blood pressure.

Here’s How Much You Need:
Regular consumption of broccoli can provide you with a myriad health benefit, but there is no reason to go overboard with it. Most people would do well to eat at least one serving a day. If you are looking for an alternative to steamed broccoli, try eating it raw with salsa or hummus, or drizzle your steamed broccoli with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. And if you can run the stalks and leaves through a juicer, you’ll have a spicy green sipper to enjoy as a snack with whole wheat crackers.

Remember; high blood pressure isn’t a death sentence. It’s a warning. You can effectively improve your numbers and reduce the risk of disease. Take heed to what your body is telling you and make little changes, like the one mentioned above, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier, happier heart.

As always – Enjoy Your Life,

John Aaron Villarreal

The Legal Stuff: I write to inform, inspire and encourage my readers to enjoy all that life has to offer.
The content and information on this site is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease.
Please consult your physician prior to starting any exercise, diet or wellness program.

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