The S in Spinach is for Superfoods that can lower your blood pressure
You've read about foods that burn fat, foods to help you sleep, or foods to help with your focus. But when it comes to heart health, all we seem to hear about is what not to eat. There are some foods, however, that scientists say can contribute to reducing high blood pressure (BP). Spinach is one of those.
What does spinach have that other foods don’t?
That’s right! What you put at the end of your fork can sometimes be as effective as your daily medicine. A Swedish study has shown that spinach is one of the superfoods that will bring your BP readings down due to its abundance of heart-healthy nutrients like potassium, folate, and magnesium. In fact because of its high potassium content, spinach can negate the effects of sodium (one of the big dietary no-no’s for those with hypertension. Low potassium intake may be just as big of a risk factor in developing high blood pressure as a high sodium intake.
“I want to start eating healthy, but I don’t like spinach.”
Many people like the idea of eating healthy, but eating vegetables can feel like Superman eating a bowl full of Kryptonite, right? If you are among them, fear not. We’ve assembled a tasty collection of recipes using spinach. No, not the green stuff of a plain, leafy salad that you don’t like, but rather new and different forms of popsicles, quiches, pastas, pesto and more.Wondrous Blueberry & Spinach Shake Mind-Blowing Spinach Dip Amazing Basil & Walnut PestoTerrific Parmesan Spinach CakeFabulous Spinach Quiche Wonderful Spinach Pasta Salad Awesome Green PopsicleSources:
1. Gazit T, Gutman M, Beatty AL. Assessment of Hypertension Control Among Adults Participating in a Mobile Technology Blood Pressure Self-management Program. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2127008, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27008. Accessed October 19, 2022. (Some study authors are employed by Hello Heart. Because of the observational nature of the study, causal conclusions cannot be made. See additional important study limitations in the publication. This study showed that 108 participants with baseline blood pressure over 140/90 who had been enrolled in the program for 3 years and had application activity during weeks 148-163 were able to reduce their blood pressure by 21 mmHg using the Hello Heart program.) (2) Livongo Health, Inc. Form S-1 Registration Statement. https:/www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639225/000119312519185159/d731249ds1.htm. Published June 28, 2019. Accessed October 19, 2022. (In a pilot study that lasted six weeks, individuals starting with a blood pressure of greater than 140/90 mmHg, on average, had a 10 mmHG reduction.) NOTE: This comparison is not based on a head-to-head study, and the difference in results may be due in part to different study protocols.
2. Validation Institute. 2021 Validation Report (Valid Through October 2022). https://validationinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hello_Heart-Savings-2021- Final.pdf. Published October 2021. Accessed October 19, 2022. (This analysis was commissioned by Hello Heart, which provided a summary report of self-fundedemployer client medical claims data for 203 Hello Heart users and 200 non-users from 2017-2020. Findings have not been subjected to peer review.)
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