You can’t see or feel high blood pressure, but it’s a very real threat to the health of your heart, brain and other organs. That’s why we call it “the silent killer.”
When your blood pressure is high, the force of the blood creates microscopic tears and scarring in the inner walls of your blood vessels. Once the damage sets in, fats, cholesterol and other substances in your bloodstream start building up.
This narrows your arteries and makes them less flexible. It also makes your blood pump even harder, and can eventually lead to arterial blockages.
These blockages can cause a heart attack. They increase your chances of a stroke or dementia, and they even play a role in sexual dysfunction.
Since nearly half of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, it’s no surprise that we’re a nation plagued with heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer’s and ED.
This is a wake-up call to all of us!
Gain Control of Your Blood Pressure
Gaining control of your blood pressure needs to be a top priority in your life. And over the years, we’ve learned that a substance in your own body can offer a great deal of protection against high blood pressure. It helps relax and expand blood vessels so blood can flow freely throughout your entire circulatory system.
The compound I’m talking about is called nitric oxide. When nitric oxide is plentiful, your arteries and veins are wide open. Blood surges through them exactly the way it should – without having to force its way through the blood vessels.
But there’s a problem.
By the time you reach age 40 your body makes about half as much nitric oxide as it did in your youth. And as you grow older, the cells on the inner lining of your blood vessels (the endothelial cells) become thicker. This makes them less able to create nitric oxide.
So how can you get a boost?
The Easiest and Most Potent Solution
The foods you eat definitely play a role in nitric oxide production. You see, certain foods are rich in natural chemicals called nitrates. When you eat them, they go through a process in your body that results in the production of nitric oxide.
But I’m not talking about sodium nitrates used to cure deli meats, hot dogs and other processed meats.
I’m talking about the naturally-occurring nitrates found in soil and water that nourish growing vegetables. Leafy greens, like arugula, spinach and kale are at the top of the list. Other foods that are very high in nitrate include celery, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, radish and turnips.
While these are, by far, the top sources, you’ll also get plenty of nitrates from green beans, leek, cucumber, carrots, garlic, sweet peppers and green peppers.
I definitely recommend getting plenty of these types of foods. But how you cook them counts for a lot. If you boil them in water, it will remove all of the nitrates. Instead, try steaming, roasting or drinking the raw juice.
However, to get the kind of sustained boost in nitric oxide levels that will actually make a difference in your blood pressure, you need something more powerful.
And I have just the answer.
There’s a quick way to boost your nitric oxide and lower your blood pressure in only about three hours. It’s the easiest and most potent solution.
All it takes is about 500 ml of beetroot juice for immediate and substantial results. This could come in handy if you need to quickly bring your numbers down to a healthy level. But a one-time shot won’t keep your blood pressure down for long.
However, if you drink beetroot juice regularly you can get sustained results with just half that amount – 250 ml each day.
But I have to warn you. The taste is something that might take a little getting used to. If you find it unpleasant, you can always mix it with a little apple or orange juice to make it a little more appealing.
However, if it turns out you just can’t stomach it, there’s nothing wrong with substituting it with supplement made from a red beetroot extract. You’ll get all of the health benefits… without the unpleasant flavor.
Sources:
Facts About Hypertension. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last Reviewed: January 5, 2023.
Webb AJ, Patel N, Loukogeorgakis S, Okorie M, Aboud Z, Misra S, Rashid R, Miall P, Deanfield J, Benjamin N, MacAllister R, Hobbs AJ, Ahluwalia A. Acute blood pressure lowering, vasoprotective, and antiplatelet properties of dietary nitrate via bioconversion to nitrite. Hypertension. 2008 Mar;51(3):784-90.
Kapil V, Khambata RS, Robertson A, Caulfield MJ, Ahluwalia A. Dietary nitrate provides sustained blood pressure lowering in hypertensive patients: a randomized, phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Hypertension. 2015 Feb;65(2):320-7.
