Treating high blood pressure can be a little daunting and even “unfun.” The idea of eating only healthy foods may sound difficult. Making homemade juices to lower blood pressure can help you be creative and have a flavorful way to be heart healthy.
Why Juicing?
Juicing became popular a few years ago when people starting realizing that smoothies from stores had too much added sugar. Not all of the benefits from the fruits and vegetables got into the juice, making it less appealing.
Juicing is quite simple, but can be an expensive upfront cost. However, it is worth it to make healthy juices that can keep your risk factors for heart disease down.
Using a juicer is more healthy than even store-bought juice because you’re using fresh, whole ingredients that haven’t already been mixed with potential added sugars or preservatives.
In addition, you can also make your own concoctions that can be sweeter, stronger, or as crazy as you’d like!
Homemade Juices to Lower Blood Pressure
Here is a small list of fruits and vegetables known to help lower blood pressure:
Some key ones that aren’t on the list are berries, bananas, pomegranates, and almonds.
Be careful to not add too many fruits to your juice because while they may be high in antioxidants, they are high in sugar and can do more harm than good to your body.
Having a fresh glass of juice is perfect for the mornings to boost your metabolism and start your morning properly energized.
Add some ice to make it more like a smoothie than juice, if you prefer a thicker texture.
The best aspect about homemade juices to lower blood pressure is that you get your servings of fruits and vegetables all at once. Most people struggle to get in enough of each and this is an easy way to incorporate both each day.
Try these combinations if you prefer more vegetable flavor than fruit flavor:
2 green apples + 6-8 ribs of celery + 1 cucumber + ½ lemon + 1 thumb-sized ginger
2 green apples + 1 bunch of spinach (or 6-8 leaves of kale) + a bunch of cilantro +½ lemon
1 medium-sized beetroot + 1 fennel +½ slice lemon + 1 thumb-size ginger + 2 carrots
2 green apples + 8 leaves of Collard greens (or Swiss chard) + 1 cucumber + ½ lemon
2 green apples + 6 ribs of celery + 1 fennel + a bunch of cilantro +½ lemon
If you prefer a fruitier, sweeter flavor, try these:
Parsley, Kale, And Berry Smoothie
1/2 cup (packed) flat-leaf parsley (leaves and stems)
4 kale leaves (center ribs removed)
1 cup frozen organic berries (such as strawberries or raspberries)
One banana (cut into pieces)
1 teaspoon ground flaxseed
Tropical Taste
½ cup coconut milk
2cups stemmed and chopped kale or spinach
1½cups chopped pineapple (about ¼ medium pineapple)
1ripe banana, chopped
Sweeter Tooth Smoothie
1/2 cups orange juice
2 baby spinach (generous handfuls of)
1 mango (huge, or 2 regular size mangoes, peeled and sliced off the core)
2 kiwi (large, peeled)
2 bananas
1 peaches (medium size, cut in quarters, core removed)
1 cup ice
Adding chia or flaxseeds to your smoothies will help you get more omega-3s, protein, and fiber. Both are high in calories, so be careful with how much you add.
In conclusion, have fun with your homemade juices to lower blood pressure and make this new lifestyle change something to look forward to. Healthy changes can be exciting and refreshing if you find the right way to enjoy it.
Resources
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/parsley-kale-and-berry-smoothie
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/02/20/green-smoothie-recipes_n_4824873.html