High blood pressure is a common condition which affects more than a quarter of adults in the UK. A person can significantly reduce their risk of developing hypertension by adding this delicious snack into their daily diet.
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Almonds are rich in healthy fats, fibre, protein, magnesium and vitamin E.
Leading health experts suggest that almonds can help with one’s health in a number of ways including reducing blood pressure, lowering blood sugar levels and lowering cholesterol levels.
Almonds are also known to help reduce hunger and promote weight loss.
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How almonds help with blood pressure
It’s believed the magnesium content found in almonds help to lower a person’s blood pressure levels.
High blood pressure is one of the leading drivers of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.
Being deficient in magnesium is strongly linked to having high blood pressure regardless if one is overweight or not.
This is why health experts advise those suffering with blood pressure to up their almond intake.
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What the studies say
In a study with the National Library of Medicine, the effect of lowering blood pressure by magnesium supplementation in hypertensive adults with low magnesium levels was investigated.
The study noted: “To test the blood pressure-lowering effect of oral magnesium supplementation in diabetic hypersensitive adults, we conducted a double-blind trial.
“Eighty-two subjects between 40 and 75 years of age were randomly enrolled and over four months were given either magnesium or a placebo.”
The study found a significant decrease in blood pressure reading compared to the placebo group.
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In another study with the National Library of Medicine, the effects of magnesium on blood pressure in overweight Korean adults was analysed.
The study noted: “Little is known about the effect of magnesium on blood pressure in healthy individuals.
“Therefore, we investigated whether magnesium could improve insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in overweight adults.”
The study concluded that the results suggested that magnesium supplementation does not reduce blood pressure in overweight people.
However, magnesium supplementation may lower blood pressure in healthy adults with higher blood pressure.
Almonds are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals such as flavonoids.
Almonds help with assisting with blood sugar control, lowering cholesterol levels, lowering calorie intake, and assisting with weight loss.
For a healthy snack, add almonds to a sugar free yoghurt for twice as many health benefits.
Including at least 150 minutes of physical exercise a week will also help lower your reading.
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