Aunt Zhang, a resident in her 50s, recently came to a nearby community hospital with high blood pressure. She had heard about a "secret recipe" for lowering blood pressure, so she excitedly asked Dr. Chan for advice.
Aunt Zhang: "Dr. Chen, I recently heard that eating onions can lower blood pressure, is it true?" I'm experimenting every day, but I'm not sure if it works. ”
Dr. Chen listened to Aunt Zhang's question and explained with a smile, "Aunt Zhang, onions are certainly a healthy ingredient, but eating onions alone to lower blood pressure is not reliable. High blood pressure requires comprehensive treatment, and diet is only part of it. ”
Dr. Chen further instructed Aunt Zhang: "In addition to eating reasonably, we should also pay attention to weight control, moderate exercise, and stress relief. These measures combine to better control blood pressure. ”
After hearing this, Aunt Zhang suddenly realized: "I see, I thought that eating onions could easily solve the blood pressure problem." Thank you, Dr. Chan, and I will be mindful of lifestyle adjustments. ”
Dr. Chen smiled and comforted, "You're welcome, Aunt Zhang, adjusting your lifestyle is very important to maintain your health, I hope you can persevere, and I wish you good health!" ”
01 Can eating onions really lower blood pressure?
Onions are rich in nutrients, including a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as unique bioactives such as flavonoids and prostaglandins. These ingredients give onion antioxidant, antibacterial, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects, so it is thought that it may be beneficial in lowering blood pressure.
However, scientific studies have shown that onion consumption alone does not directly lower blood pressure. While the prostaglandin A in onions may help slightly dilate blood vessels, it takes a lot of onions to have noticeable results, which can lead to problems such as indigestion. Therefore, onion consumption cannot be relied upon to control high blood pressure.
In summary, although onions are beneficial for cardiovascular health, a combination of healthy eating habits, moderate exercise, and medication is required to control blood pressure.
02 Experts said frankly: Do 5 things well, high blood pressure will say goodbye to you
Low-fat, low-salt diet: Diet is essential for the management of high blood pressure. Choose foods that are low in fat and salt, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid foods high in salt and minimize your intake of processed foods, as they often contain a lot of salt.
Walk more every day: Exercise is key to lowering blood pressure. Doing moderate amounts of aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, or swimming, can help strengthen heart function, improve the elasticity of blood vessels, and lower blood pressure. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure. By controlling your diet and increasing physical activity, you can help manage your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight range is essential for lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Psychological decompression: Long-term psychological stress can affect blood pressure levels. Therefore, by engaging in relaxing activities such as yoga, meditation, or listening to relaxing music, it can help relieve stress and lower blood pressure levels. Experts recommend 45 minutes of meditation or yoga practice every day.
Get a good night's sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to ensure good sleep quality. Also, avoid excessive naps during the day, as this may affect the quality of sleep at night.