Lowering Blood Pressure with Diet

Q. We've just learned that a British product called HeartBeet is showing promise lowering blood pressure naturally. Are beets really effective for natural hypertension control? Are there any other foods that control hypertension? My husband would prefer not to take prescriptions for his hypertension and is looking for natural remedies.

A. HeartBeet is a brand-name “beetroot” juice sold in Britain. We have not seen it in stores in the U.S.
A study published in Hypertension (March 2008) showed that two cups of beet juice daily lowered blood pressure by about 10 points, equivalent to the effect of many blood pressure medicines. Beets and certain other vegetables are high in nitrates. Eating a diet rich in natural nitrates seems to increase nitric oxide, a compound made in the body that relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.

Your husband should not stop taking his medication, but he might consider adopting a vegetable-rich DASH diet and including pomegranates, Concord grapes or a little dark chocolate in his diet as well. Weight loss and relaxation exercises can also contribute to natural blood pressure control. We are sending you our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment for more details on non-drug approaches.