It comes as no surprise that people are always in search for a natural remedy to lower their blood pressure.


If you or someone in your family is suffering from high blood pressure, here is the best food to lower the readings.

​​The food is watermelon!

Watermelon checks so many necessary boxes when talked about its health benefits. The juicy sweet watermelon does not only hydrate you during summer but is also an effective remedy to help manage blood sugar level.

​How watermelon can help control blood pressure

Watermelon is naturally sweet with no added sugar and is rich in three blood-pressure supporting nutrients – L-citrulline, lycopene and potassium.

​The study

According to the study published in the American Journal of Hypertension, consuming watermelon could significantly reduce blood pressure in people who are overweight, due to the presence of L-citrulline.

​L-citrulline

L-citrulline encourages healthy blood pressure by producing nitric oxide, a gas that supports flexibility in arteries and relaxes the blood vessels. This, in turn, helps in lowering the blood pressure.

Consumption of watermelon has been linked with decreased in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Lycopene

Foods that are red or pink in colour like tomatoes, guava and watermelon are rich in lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant, which is linked with having positive effects on high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues.

High serum lycopene levels have been associated with lower levels of hypertension in people who are overweight and obese.

American Heart Association recommends increasing potassium intake in adults with high blood pressure.

​Other food to lower blood pressure

For people suffering from high blood pressure, it is recommended to follow a diet which is low in added sugar, saturated fats and sodium. It is also suggested to focus on foods like vegetables, fruits, whole-grains and nuts. All these foods have shown positive results in lowering blood pressure.