According to Woman’s World, these four lifehacks will significantly lower your blood pressure:
Swap a walk for a stretch. Long after a stretch in the pool or ocean, you’ll feel the benefits. Five minutes of stretching five times a week reduced blood pressure five points more than brisk walking, according to Canadian researchers. Blood pressure is reduced when muscles are stretched, since arteries that supply them become more supple.
Swap paste for powder. According to a study published in the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, powder reduces dental plaque and improves gum health better than paste. Gum health reduces inflammation that damages blood vessels by 50%, according to a study in Hypertension.
Spice up your life instead of NSAIDs. Ibuprofen and naproxen, which are OTC pain relievers, cannot flush excess sodium from the body. 500 to 1,000 mg of curcumin daily can relieve pain as effectively as NSAIDs. The spice is also said to lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
Swap H2O for coconut water. If you use coconut water instead of plain water, your summer smoothie will have a tropical flair. A study by the University of the West Indies found that coconut water can lower blood pressure by 12 points in two weeks. Coconuts contain potassium, a mineral that relaxes blood vessel walls.