3 February, 2012
Estimated Reading Time : 1 minute, 42 seconds
In Bolivia, high blood pressure (or hypertension) is quite a common problem, especially in the departments of La Paz, Chuquisaca, and Santa Cruz. According to a report from the Ministry of Health and Sports, in its Non-Communicable Diseases Program, 86,701 people with arterial hypertension were reported in 2010, and during the first half of 2011, an additional 27,907 cases were recorded — and these are just the reported cases. When the causes are unknown, it is called primary, essential, or idiopathic hypertension; but causes such as alcoholism and obesity can also be found.

In Bolivia, high blood pressure (or hypertension) is quite a common problem, especially in the departments of La Paz, Chuquisaca, and Santa Cruz. According to a report from the Ministry of Health and Sports, in its Non-Communicable Diseases Program, 86,701 people with arterial hypertension were reported in 2010, and during the first half of 2011, an additional 27,907 cases were recorded — and these are just the reported cases. When the causes are unknown, it is called primary, essential, or idiopathic hypertension; but causes such as alcoholism and obesity can also be found.

The ideal way to combat the issue of arterial hypertension is by following a strict diet, avoiding fatty, salty, highly seasoned, and spicy foods — unfortunately. However, not everything is exclusion in this dietary approach, as we can include and benefit from other very tasty foods in our preparations. Here are the most important:

Celery.
Whether in salads, soups, or even in juices, celery is easy to incorporate into almost all dishes. It contains a compound that relaxes the smooth muscles of blood vessels, not to mention that it is a natural diuretic.

Onion.
It also has a diuretic effect, and its components can dilate blood vessels. It is known that consuming it raw allows better absorption of its benefits.

Garlic.
Perhaps the most recommended food for treating high blood pressure is garlic. It facilitates circulation due to its ability to dilate the arteries, and it also helps eliminate bad cholesterol. For an effective treatment, it is recommended to consume it fresh and not in powder form; crushed or in small pieces over meals is ideal.

Carrot.
It is necessary to prevent the amount of cholesterol in your body, and for that, carrot is one of the best options.

Lemon.
Ideal for cleaning the blood and detoxifying the body. It is recommended to consume it hot and on an empty stomach.

Tomato.
Important in many of our salads, not only making them a rich and refreshing preparation but also helping to lower blood pressure.

Sources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov
http://boliviasol.wordpress.com