Food change ‘lowers blood pressure in 2 hours' and it's not cutting salt
Scientists have found a big impact from a diet switch - which can help people with high blood pressure. Sometimes called the 'silent killer' hypertension can lead to serious health issues if left untreated.
It can damage blood vessels, increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and even affect vision. While many people with hypertension don't experience symptoms, it's crucial to manage it to prevent long-term complications because if they don't sometimes the first time they know about it is when a serious health issue arises.
When it comes to changing diet Tim Spector, founder of the Zoe app and a professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London said measures we can all take include eating more of the mineral potassium, which helps to remove salt from the bloodstream, and increasing our intake of fibre. 'Eating 5g more fibre a day can reduce blood pressure by twice as much as reducing salt,' Spector says.
READ MORE: Tinned food we all have in cupboard slashes cholesterol if eaten every day
READ MORE: Scientist reveals that eating this one fruit a day will lower inflammation
It's well known that salt is a key factor in high blood pressure - but researchers also found a humble bean can have a beneficial effect too. Darker-coloured beans such as red kidney beans and also black beans might help to maintain blood vessel health too. Researchers from the University of Manitoba in Canada showed that blood pressure was lower two hours after eating red kidney beans compared with rice.
While most beans have a positive effect on blood pressure, it is the darker-coloured varieties such as red kidney beans and black beans that have been shown to have the greatest positive effect on blood vessels.
Dietician Dr Linia Patel said: 'Canned versions of beans provide the same benefits as dried, and you save on overnight soaking.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Carrie Johnson admitted to hospital amid ‘brutal' week
Carrie Johnson, the wife of Boris Johnson, has been hospitalised with severe dehydration just weeks after giving birth. The incident prompted a stark warning from Ms Johnson about the critical importance of proper food and fluid intake for new mothers. The 37-year-old welcomed Poppy Eliza Josephine Johnson – her fourth child with the former prime minister – on 21 May. She revealed her two-night hospital stay on an Instagram story. Sharing a photo of herself cradling her newborn in hospital, she remarked that the experience was "not on my postpartum bingo card". Ms Johnson's personal ordeal comes as Britain prepares for another heatwave this weekend, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C and an amber heat health alert already in place. She wrote: 'Being hospitalised for two nights for severe dehydration was not on my postpartum bingo card.' She urged breastfeeding mothers to make sure they eat and drink enough, 'especially if your babe is clusterfeeding'. Advice on the NHS website tells new mothers to drink plenty of fluids and to have a drink beside them as the settle down to breastfeed. Water, lower fat milks, lower sugar or sugar-free drinks are all good choices, according to the NHS. Ms Johnson thanked everyone who has helped them get through a 'brutal' week. With an Amber Heat Health alert declared for the East Midlands, South East, South West, East of England and London, it's worth watching out for those who might find it difficult to cope with high temperatures. ☀️ 🌡️ Check our blog post for handy tips: — UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) June 27, 2025 She wrote: 'This week has honestly been brutal. 'Mastitis (me), reflux (her), dehydration (me). What a pair we are! 'But thank you for all the kind messages, especially all the brilliant advice on reflux. Really appreciate it and made me feel way less alone going thru it all. 'And as ever, thanks to our amazing NHS.' The amber heat health alert, which covers London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England, came into force on Friday and will last until 6pm on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued a yellow alert for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period, with the agency warning of significant impacts across health and social care services. The heatwave is also affecting broad parts of mainland Europe, and a Dutch tourist died of heatstroke in Mallorca, according to local reports. The 34-year-old collapsed while hiking with friends in Camí de Son Sales, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reported. Emergency services attempted to resuscitate him but were unable to, according to the publication.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Carrie Johnson warns mothers about dehydration from hospital bed
Carrie Johnson, the wife of former prime minister Boris Johnson, has urged breastfeeding mothers to eat and drink properly after she had a short spell in hospital with severe hydration. Mrs Johnson, 37, whose fourth child with the former leader of the Conservative Party was born on May 21, said a two-night hospital stay was 'not on my postpartum bingo card'. Her warning came in a Instagram story alongside a photo of Mrs Johnson in hospital cradling baby Poppy Eliza Josephine. Britain is expected to experience another heatwave this weekend when temperatures could top 30C, with an amber heat health alert issued. Mrs Johnson wrote: 'Being hospitalised for two nights for severe dehydration was not on my postpartum bingo card.' She urged 'breastfeeding mums' to make sure they eat and drink enough, 'especially if your babe is clusterfeeding'. Advice on the NHS website tells new mothers to drink plenty of fluids and to have a drink beside them as the settle down to breastfeed. Water, lower fat milks, lower sugar or sugar-free drinks are all good choices. Mrs Johnson thanked everyone who has helped them get through a 'brutal' week. With an Amber Heat Health alert declared for the East Midlands, South East, South West, East of England and London, it's worth watching out for those who might find it difficult to cope with high temperatures. ☀️ 🌡️ Check our blog post for handy tips: — UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) June 27, 2025 She wrote: 'This week has honestly been brutal. 'Mastitis (me), reflux (her), dehydration (me). What a pair we are! 'But thank you for all the kind messages, especially all the brilliant advice on reflux. Really appreciate it and made me feel way less alone going thru it all. 'And as ever, thanks to our amazing NHS.' Her message comes as a second amber heat health alert in two weeks came into force on Friday. The alert, which covers London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England, will last until 6pm on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued a yellow alert for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period, with the agency warning of significant impacts across health and social care services.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
1
The UK is heading for its second heatwave of the summer, and we're only one month in. The Met Office advises: 'The hottest day of the current spell is expected on Monday, with temperatures widely exceeding 30°C in central and eastern England, possibly reaching 34°C in London'. But, before you rush out in sunnies and shorts, it might be a good idea to check your medicine cabinet: research has found that certain medications can have physiological effects on the body, causing the core body temperature to rise above 40°C. Other medications have been found to make people far more sensitive to heat. According to the Mental Health Foundation: 'One adult in eight receives mental health treatment, with 10.4% [of those] receiving medication and 3% receiving psychological therapy. 'The overlap within the statistics is due to 1.3% of those receiving treatment reporting receiving both medication and psychological therapy.' Mental health medications fall under a number of different categories including Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Antipsychotic Drugs (ACDs), and beta blockers which are often used to treat anxiety and heart conditions. All of these medications can cause heat intolerance. Additionally, blood pressure medications can cause heat intolerance, too. According to Centers for Disease Control: 'Certain combinations of medications, such as the combined use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) with a diuretic, may significantly increase risk of harm from heat exposure.' To stay cool during hot weather, the NHS recommends: 'Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. 'Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.' They also advise keeping windows closed during the day and opened at night once temperatures have somebody potentially experiencing heat exhaustion, the health service advises the following tips: Move them to a cool place Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too This Is One Of The Worst Things You Can Do To Gardens In A Heatwave The Unexpected Effect Heatwaves Have On Your Phone's Signal So, Should You Actually Close Your Windows During A Heatwave?
