9 must-have foods for people with hypotension or low blood

Diet plays an important role in effective treatment of hypotension and maintaining your blood pressure levels within normal range. Dr Sanjeev Chaudhary, Associate Director & Unit Head, Cardiology, FMRI said, ‘Hypotension, characterized by sudden drop in the blood pressure levels is a major cause of concern and potentially dangerous.’ Usually it is recommended that people suffering from low blood pressure should cut down on alcoholic beverages and high-carbohydrate foods. But there are foods which help maintain the blood pressure within normal range by acting on various pathways which control our blood pressure:

Raisins (kishmish) – Raisins are considered an excellent natural remedy to treat hypotension. It helps in maintaining the blood pressure levels within normal limits by supporting the function of adrenal gland. Soak around 30 – 40 raisins in a cup of water overnight and eat them in the morning on an empty stomach. Follow this natural remedy for at least a month to see significant results.

Milk and almonds (Badam) – It is a traditional home remedy that helps in controlling low pressure levels in hypotensive patients by acting on the adrenal gland. Soak 4 – 5 almonds in water overnight, peel off the skin the next morning and make a smooth paste. Add this paste to a cup of boiling milk and drink it every morning for few weeks to treat your low blood pressure.

Carrots – Carrot juice is found to improve blood circulation along with regulating your blood pressure levels. Add two tablespoons of honey to a glass of carrot juice. Drink it on empty stomach twice a day (morning and evening) for better results.

Salt – Salt helps to treat low blood pressure because the sodium present in it raises the blood pressure. But care should be taken not to include excess salt as it may result in other clinical conditions.

Holy Basil (Tulsi) – Tulsi leaves are loaded with potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) which are effective to control blood pressure in hypotensive patients. You can either chew 4 – 5 basil leaves in the morning on daily basis or drink a teaspoon of tulsi extracts with honey daily on an empty stomach.

Lemon – Lemon juice is highly effective to treat low blood pressure caused due to dehydration. Antioxidants present in it is found to regulate blood circulation and maintain blood pressure. If you feel exhausted or tired due to dipping blood pressure levels, drink a glass of lemon juice mixed with a little sugar and salt to control your blood pressure.

Garlic – Garlic contains a compound that helps in stabilizing the blood pressure along with exerting other health benefits. You can either eat raw garlic (2 cloves) 1 hour before bed time or can add it to your food preparations.

Licorice (Muleti) – The roots of licorice act as a powerful home remedy to normalize low blood pressure levels that are caused due to low blood levels of cortisol (stress hormone). The compound present in licorice acts by blocking the action of the enzyme responsible for cortisol breakdown. Licorice tea – Add dried or powdered licorice roots to a cup of boiling water. Filter and drink this tea daily for few days to control low blood pressure.

Caffeinated foods – It is found that caffeinated foods like strong coffee, cola, hot chocolate and other caffeine-rich beverages temporarily increase the blood pressure levels. The exact cause is not known but it may block the action of hormone responsible for widening of arteries or stimulate the release of adrenaline hormone. If you suffer from low blood pressure frequently, drink a cup of black coffee in the morning or with meals.