High blood pressure has become a United States epidemic with approximately 70 million American adults struggling. (1) The good news is that nature has provided us many tools that help alleviate high blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables are vital components of a healthy diet. Eating fruits and vegetables that are high in potassium helps the body balance sodium levels. (2)

Eating potassium rich fruits and vegetables helps high blood pressure

Potassium rich fruits include: bananas, cantaloupe, apricots, dates, honeydew, mangoes, nectarines, avocados, watermelon, kiwi, oranges, pomegranates, and papayas. Vegetables that are high in potassium include: celery, spinach, watercress, broccoli, cucumbers, cauliflower, parsley, Swiss chard, asparagus, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and artichokes. (2)

New research reports that coconut oil, with its unique combination of fatty acids, provides the body with remarkable health benefits that include: fat loss, improved brain function and now reduction of blood pressure. (3)

Coconut oil combined with daily exercise shown to return blood pressure back to normotensive values

Researchers from Brazil set out to test the impact of combining coconut oil intake with daily exercise.  They studied the impact on baroreflex sensitivity and reduction of oxidative stress. Findings prove that both coconut oil and exercise training helped reduce weight. When combined, coconut oil and exercise training returned blood pressure to normotensive (normal) values.  (3)

“This is an important finding as coconut oil is currently being considered a popular “superfood” and it is being consumed by athletes and the general population who seek a healthy lifestyle,” explained Dr. Valdir de Andrade Braga, co-author of the study. (3)

Try adding coconut oil to a smoothie, or replace other oils or butter with coconut oil when cooking. You can create homemade energy bars or chocolate with coconut oil. If you’re going to eat fried food, try frying it in coconut oil.  Coconut oil also makes a great deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, and hair treatment. The options are endless. If you do not use coconut oil on a daily basis, try making this a part of your new routine!

Sources for this article include:

(1) www.cdc.gov
(2) www. Natural News
(3) www.sciencedaily.com

Image source: flic.kr

Article originally posted on RawFoodWorld.com republished with permission