Best Diet For Low Blood Pressure Patients

Do you often feel lightheaded when you stand up too fast after sitting for a long time or following a large meal? Or do you always feel dizzy and have blurred vision when you get up in the morning but are not sure why? These signs may be related to low blood pressure.

Low blood pressure or hypotension, which comes with getting older and is common in people over 70, is now becoming common in young adults too because of inactive lifestyles, high stress, and poor dietary habits.

While remedies like Krishna’s BP Care Juice and other medications are used to control hypertension or high blood pressure, a low blood pressure problem rarely needs to be treated with medications. In many cases, simple diet changes are effective and can help manage it naturally.

So, let’s dive into the best diet for low blood pressure patients.

What is Low Blood Pressure?

Before discussing the numbers, let’s first understand what blood pressure means.

Blood pressure (BP) measures the force your heart uses to pump blood through your body’s vast network of blood vessels covering nearly 60,000 miles of arteries, veins, and capillaries. Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood into arteries, which carry it throughout your body to deliver oxygen and nutrients so your body functions optimally. In one minute, this process happens 60 to 100 times, 24 hours a day.

BP is measured using two numbers: systolic, the pressure when your heart beats, and diastolic, the pressure when your heart rests between beats. The systolic pressure is always the first or top number.

BP between 90/60 and 120/80 mmHg is generally regarded as being in a healthy zone, but a number above 120/80 mmHg is considered high, which is a completely different and serious condition that we won’t get into here.

Read More About: High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Causes and Symptoms

But if your BP reading is consistently less than 90/60 mmHg, you may have low blood pressure. This is when your blood flows at lower-than-normal pressures through blood vessels.

When Can a Low BP be Concerning?

The condition usually has no symptoms and isn’t always a cause for concern… but it can be when your heart’s pumping pressure isn’t enough to deliver oxygenated blood to your organs. When this happens, you may have the following symptoms:

• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Nausea
• Fainting
• Blurred vision
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Unusual thirst or dehydration
• Cold, clammy, and pale skin
• Depression
• Lack of concentration

So, whether low BP is concerning or not depends on the individual. Many healthy people have blood pressure around 90/60 and are perfectly fine. The number itself isn’t dangerous, but if you experience the symptoms mentioned above, it’s important to get evaluated by your physician because there can be a range of causes. These may include an infection, illness, or a reaction to medication, which can also cause a sudden or drastic drop in BP.

Other causes include:

• Ageing
• Abrupt changes in position
• Prolonged bed rest
• Anemia
• Certain medications
• Side effects of high blood pressure medications
• Vigorous exercise
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Heart problems
• Endocrine problems
• Extreme blood loss from bleeding or dehydration
• Nutritional deficiencies, such as in vitamin B12 and folic acid

Lack of nutrition plays a huge role in causing low blood pressure. This can be fulfilled with the right diet.

Here’s The Best Diet To Help Raise Low Blood Pressure

Drink Plenty of Fluids

When you’re dehydrated, the fluid loss in your body reduces your blood volume which leads to a drop in blood pressure. It’s relatively easy to fix this by drinking enough fluid or at least two litres of water a day. Make sure your water intake is higher when exercising and in hot weather.

Add Sodium to Your Diet

When it comes to eating foods high in salt most health advice comes with a big “no-no” because too much sodium/ salt can cause hypertension and lead to health problems like heart disease and stroke. But salt isn’t bad for someone who has a low BP. It’s an essential electrolyte that controls your body’s water balance and can bump up a low blood pressure. A few simple ways to do this are:

• Add a pinch of salt to one glass of water
• Season your food with table or sea salt
• Eat salty foods, such as olives, and cottage cheese
• Eat a handful of salted nuts as a snack

Drink Caffeine

Coffee and caffeinated tea can temporarily boost the heart rate and blood pressure. This effect is usually short-term, and caffeine affects people differently. Some studies suggest that coffee may only raise blood pressure in people who drink it occasionally. Regular coffee drinkers may develop a higher tolerance and the effect on blood pressure may not be that significant.

Other foods and drinks with caffeine include tea, cocoa, chocolate and some energy drinks.

Drink Mulethi Tea

Mulethi, also known as liquorice root, is a powerful herb that helps in normalizing low BP. It boosts circulation, supports red blood cell production, and aids in proper adrenal gland function. One easy way to enjoy Mulethi is by drinking Mulethi tea. Mulethi is available in the form of powder, such as Krishna’s Mulethi Powder. Add 1 teaspoon of Mulethi powder to water, let it boil for 10-15 minutes, then cool it down slightly, filter, and drink.

Increase Your B12 Intake

Low levels of this essential vitamin may decrease healthy red blood cells, cause anemia, lower blood pressure, and potentially lead to organ and nerve damage. You can take vitamin B12 supplements prescribed by your doctor or consume fortified foods with this vitamin, such as low-fat dairy products, breakfast cereals, etc.

Learn more about Natural Sources of Vitamin B12.

Eat Folate-Rich Foods

Folate (Vitamin B9) is essential for good health and can be found in foods like asparagus, broccoli, and legumes (lentils, and chickpeas). A folate deficiency can cause symptoms similar to a B12 deficiency, leading to anemia and low blood pressure. To prevent this, try to include more of these folate-rich foods in your diet to meet your nutritional needs.

Be Cautious with Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can dehydrate you, lowering your blood pressure by reducing blood volume. Drink alcohol responsibly, and consider having a glass of water after each alcoholic drink to avoid dehydration.

Learn more about What is Healthy Blood Pressure?

Other remedies and techniques to deal with low blood pressure

When it comes to managing low blood pressure, along with proper diet small changes in daily habits can also make a big difference. For example, if you have postural hypotension (blood pressure drops when you stand up from sitting or lying down) do not stand up too quickly. Stand slowly, pause for a moment and hold onto something steady as you do so to avoid falling.

Another simple tip is to eat smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day especially if you have postprandial hypotension (low BP after eating). This can help you digest smaller meals more efficiently and manage blood pressure.

If you’re experiencing low BP symptoms after taking certain medications, consult your doctor to find a solution and take action.

Lastly, don’t forget to spend some time in nature! Taking a walk in the fresh air, soaking in the natural surroundings, and enjoying some sunshine can work positively for your overall health, It’s an effortless way to boost your mood, stabilize your blood pressure, and keep your energy high throughout the day!