Which blood vessel dilating products are the most effective — Top 10
Poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, eating large amounts of carbohydrate– and fat-rich foods - all this gradually wears out the cardiovascular system of every person.
Precisely because of this, atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension develop closer to the age of 50 – diseases in which the lumen of blood vessels narrows. And after a certain time, all this leads to heart attacks, strokes. And the worst thing is that these diseases are practically untreatable.
According to research, it is extremely important to follow specialized diets that help control blood pressure, thin the blood and prevent vasoconstriction of both the brain and the human body as a whole. What products best contribute to their expansion and at the same time do not cause harm?
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Top 10 Vasodilating Foods
According to the recommendations of doctors and scientists a list of the most useful products has been compiled that promote vasodilation, but without any consequences for the same liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. They are recommended to be included in the diet for everyone without exception, not to mention those patients who have had a heart attack or stroke, for whom such products are mandatory. We also recall that in the last article we considered 15 Best Vasodilator Drinks .
1. Garlic
Garlic contains allicin, as well as a complex of essential oils (conditionally they are grouped into a group of "phytoncides"), which smoothly reduce the pressure
by improving the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels.
Allicin, by the way, also reduces low-density cholesterol levels, thus, garlic can be used to prevent atherosclerosis .
2. Ginger
Ginger Root also has vasodilating properties
. It also contains allicin, but in smaller amounts.
Its key benefits are the strengthening of immunity, normalization of the biochemical composition of the blood, as well as the rapid elimination of toxins from the body that accumulate during infectious infection.
They are the ones that most often provoke thinning of the walls of blood vessels, which, when they expand, can lead to rupture of capillaries, arteries (this is what is called a stroke). Also ginger is good for the heart and blood vessels .
3. Lemon
Lemon expands the lumen slightly, so reduces blood pressure well only in combination, for example, with green tea
.
But a large amount of ascorbic acid available in lemon reduces the concentration of cholesterol, and also reduces already formed atherosclerotic plaques. With regular use lemon the lumen of the vessels increases naturally.
4. Honey
Honey contains a whole set of "rare" micronutrients, including zinc, copper, iron, aurum (gold), fluorine compounds. Most of them used in hematopoietic function
(to restore red blood cells and platelets, which reduces density and dilutes blood).
Is also a regular eating honey improves vascular elasticity - it is especially useful for varicose veins.
5. Kalina
Is rich in phytoncides, ascorbic and other organic acids. Dilates the arteries, if it is consumed fresh
. The pressure decreases at the same time.
If you eat more than 50 grams at a time, your heart rate increases, and your blood pressure increases. Therefore, viburnum should be consumed in small portions. Best of all – with sugar or honey. And you can mix it with raspberries – the bitterness disappears almost completely.
6. Cranberries
Cranberries contain a huge amount of antioxidants (derived from vitamin E), B vitamins, anthocyanins.
Doctors indicate that its use increases the level of high-density cholesterol ("healthy" cholesterol).
It is also noted that cranberries normalize the balance of prothrombin in the blood, which has a positive effect on the strength of the capillaries and blood vessels of the brain. These berries are necessarily included in the diet for hypertension, heart failure.
7. Beet
Beetroot is also a vasodilator food, but it acts prolonged. That is, the noticeable effect will be only after regular use.
At the same time, it cleanses the intestines well from accumulated dense feces and toxins – this reduces the rate of development of atherosclerosis, as well beetroot has a positive effect on cholesterol levels .
Doctors also advise cooking kvass based on beetroot – it does not taste the most delicious dish, but for the cardiovascular system it is one of the best "folk" remedies.
8. Green tea
Green tea expands the lumen of blood vessels is much better than regular black. It acts gently, reduces blood pressure, but can cause insomnia – it is better to drink in the morning or at lunch, but not later.
Can be combined with lemon or cranberry juice.
9. Horseradish
It is similar in effect to garlic – it is phytoncides and essential oils that give it a specific taste and smell. It also acts as an antibacterial agent, but with excessive use it can cause dysbiosis (since not only harmful, but also beneficial bacteria are destroyed).
The recommended daily intake is up to 30 grams. Horseradish improves vascular function by increasing their elasticity, it acts as a simple spasmatic.
10. Strawberry
In the composition – large amounts of ascorbic acid and digestible fiber
(which is like a sponge accumulating moisture).
Nutritionists recommend adding strawberries to oatmeal for breakfast – this normalizes the sugar balance, reduces blood pressure, prevents the appearance of edema, but at the same time provides the body with a large portion of energy (since oatmeal contains easily digestible carbohydrates and fiber).
It is only worth considering that excessive consumption of strawberries can cause allergies (especially often in children).
Is it possible to drink alcohol for this purpose?
Any drink containing ethyl alcohol has vasodilating properties – this is an axiom.
But is it possible Use alcohol to treat atherosclerosis and high blood pressure (hypertension)? In no case, since ethyl alcohol also increases the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle, which eventually increases the pressure and wear of the walls of capillaries, arteries, and veins. How do different alcoholic beverages work?
- Beer . When using only 100-250 milliliters, the pressure drops (mainly due to the diuretic effect). But if you drink more, the pressure increases significantly, as does the overall load on the cardiovascular system. Another negative impact is a sharp increase in blood sugar levels. In diabetes mellitus, beer is strictly contraindicated for consumption.
- Wine . Acts in a similar way to beer. That is, when using only 30 to 70 milliliters, the vascular lumen of the head expands, the pressure drops. Further (if you drink more), it increases dramatically. This drink will be useful only in small quantities and if it is not consumed regularly. In this regard, it is better to consult a doctor, since it is necessary to take into account the individual physiology of the patient. And preference should be given to dry red wines (with a low alcohol and sugar content).
- Cognac . Acts exactly like wine (it is made from the so-called "wine" alcohol). But due to its strength, it almost immediately increases the heart rate and pressure on the walls of blood vessels. Therefore, it is better to give up this drink (especially with liver failure).
- Vodka . Even a small amount of it dramatically increases the pressure. And although drinking vodka reduces the level of harmful cholesterol, at the same time it destroys liver cells, gastric mucosa, slows down the regeneration of nerve cells. A safe dose of vodka is about 15-20 milliliters, no more.
In total, alcoholic beverages should not be used for this purpose. Except for wine, but this should definitely be discussed with your doctor and adhere to the recommended dosage.
What should be excluded from the diet?
In case of atherosclerosis or hypertension, the following products that constrict blood vessels should be abandoned altogether (or their presence in the diet should be minimized):
- Butter and ghee. Although it is necessary for the normalization of brain function, it is one of the largest sources of harmful cholesterol. It should be abandoned first of all, especially for people over the age of 50 with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system. Do not forget that there is also a useful oil for blood vessels .
- Muffins and sweets. In principle, you can also add all products here, the use of which leads to a sharp increase in blood sugar levels (above 8 mmol/l in a healthy person). Their main harm is damage to the walls of blood vessels, from which their resistance to stress decreases, the probability of rupture increases. Also sugar is bad for the heart . All this also applies to chocolate. But it is worth remembering that cocoa in its pure form slightly dilates blood vessels, helping to combat their narrowing. Cocoa also cleanses the lumen of blood vessels from cholesterol. But all the beneficial properties of cocoa are offset by the sugar in the chocolate. Therefore, it is worth giving preference to bitter chocolate.
- Fried potatoes. Not only increases the concentration of harmful cholesterol, but also contains free radicals (formed during the heat treatment of vegetable oils). Increases the likelihood of atherosclerotic plaque formation due to the destabilization of lipid metabolism (when fat cells simply do not have time to split).
- Fatty meats. This can include pork, duck, beef, various kinds of giblets and liver (and even rich broths that are obtained from them). It also has a negative effect on lipid metabolism.
- Fatty cheeses, yoghurts, sour cream. They are especially dangerous in diseases of the vessels of the lower extremities, increase the risk of varicose veins.
- Coffee you also need to drink with caution. Learn more about the effect of coffee on vascular lumen see our separate article.
In total, there are a lot of products suitable for our purpose. At the same time, they do not harm in any way, so they should be included in the diet for hypertension, atherosclerosis or varicose veins. And most importantly, the diet should be varied, but with a preference for plant foods, without heat treatment. For a more detailed preparation of the diet, you should seek the help of nutritionists.
