High blood pressure is a disorder of the cardiovascular system that affects one of every three American adults. It causes the heart to pump faster to send blood throughout the body. Contributors to high blood pressure, or hypertension, include arterial plaque buildup, or atherosclerosis; poor fluid balance; and inadequate mineral or electrolyte levels and stress. Eating certain fruits, however, provides nutrients that improve cardiovascular health that may lower blood pressure for hypertension sufferers.
Raspberries
The fiber content in 1 cup of raspberries is 11 g --- 44 percent of the 25 g Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, daily value. Fiber is an important nutrient for blood pressure because it lowers cholesterol that narrows arteries and increases the rate of blood flow. Raspberries provide the highest fiber per serving level compared with other fruits.
Grapefruit Juice
A 6-oz. serving of grapefruit juice provides 1,002 mg of potassium, or 29 percent of the 3,500 FDA daily value. Potassium is a mineral the body needs to balance fluid and electrolytes, two components that control blood pressure. The sodium-to-potassium ratio is also important because a high-sodium diet can cause the two minerals to fall out of balance, which causes blood pressure to rise.
Papaya
A 10-oz. papaya provides 185 mg of vitamin C or more than three times the 60 mg FDA daily value. Vitamin C is an important nutrient for regulating blood pressure because it protects cholesterol in the arterial walls from oxidation, a type of damage that causes arterial plaque to form. Arterial plaque accumulates in the blood vessels and narrows the bloodstream. This puts pressure on the heart to pump faster to adequately provide oxygen and nutrients to the organs; hence, blood pressure becomes elevated.
Watermelon
One wedge of watermelon provides 13 mg of lycopene, which has shown a positive correlation with blood pressure reduction, according to the Mayo Clinic. Watermelon also provides 320 mg of potassium and 1 mg of fiber, nutrients that lower blood pressure. Including watermelon in the diet is a summertime treat that improves cardiovascular disease.
