Bananas for Blood Pressure
By Editorial Staff
While bananas are sometimes maligned due to their high sugar content, they're also rich in nutrients and health benefits. One nutrient that plays into the blood pressure conversation is potassium. One medium banana provides more than 400 mg of potassium, which helps balance sodium in the body (sodium increases BP) by promoting its removal via urine.
In terms of blood pressure, potassium also has a direct effect on blood pressure. While excess sodium can increase blood pressure, potassium does the opposite, relaxing blood vessel walls and reducing BP. And that's where bananas come in according to a recent study.
The study used a mathematical model to demonstrate how regulating the ratio of sodium to potassium in the body is critical to regulating blood pressure. The conclusion: High potassium intake lowers BP by suppressing renal (kidney) potassium and sodium reabsorption. Findings appear in the American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology.
Keep in mind that bananas aren't the only food high in potassium; avocados, sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli and others also make the list. And don't forget to limit your sodium intake by eating high-sodium foods sparingly and avoiding table salt whenever possible. Talk to your doctor for more information, especially if your blood pressure is in the danger zone.
