Making your eating habits healthier can have a positive effect on your blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes in addition to medication to lower your blood pressure. A healthy diet that is low in fat and sodium can help. Garlic is a known ally in the fight against high blood pressure, and white beans are a healthy source of potassium, a blood pressure-lowering nutrient.
Conventional Treatment
In addition to dietary and lifestyle changes, you may need conventional treatment to lower your blood pressure. The type of medication you may take depends on your current and goal blood pressure. Medication types include beta blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers and renin inhibitors. If these medication types are not effective, your doctor may prescribe an alpha blocker, alpha-beta blocker, central-acting agent or vasodilator.
Garlic
Increasing your garlic intake may help lower your blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
A number of studies have examined garlic's effect on cardiovascular health, including one published in "Journal of Hypertension" in 1994. In this study, patients who took garlic had larger reductions in blood pressure than those on a placebo. The compounds found in garlic may help your blood flow more easily, which can decrease blood pressure by making it easier for the heart to do its job.
White Beans
White beans, also called cannellini beans, are a source of potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. They are also a healthy protein alternative to red meat, which your doctor may advise you to cut back on as part of a lifestyle change to control your blood pressure. Drain and rinse canned beans before using them to cut down on sodium content, or cook your own dried beans.
Tips
Garlic and white beans can be eaten together. Try them in low-fat soups, salads and pasta dishes, or make a white bean dip similar to hummus. They are an ingredient in several recipes included in the Mayo Clinic's DASH diet, which has been proven to reduce blood pressure. You can also take garlic in the form of capsules, up to 1,200 mg total per day. If you eat fresh garlic, aim for two cloves per day.
