There are many smoothies and fresh juices that you can make to help lower your blood pressure. As part of a holistic lifestyle, the more that you can do naturally to assist in achieving better health is a worthy standard to pursue. I started making a Blueberry-Banana Smoothie in the morning and drinking it on an empty stomach and waiting at least two hours before eating anything. I found that after one hour when I checked my blood pressure it was lower than expected.
Be sure to use organic fruits, whether they are fresh or frozen. They won’t be full of pesticides but all fresh fruits should be washed first. Be sure to read the labels on the Almond Butter and the Hemp Milk in case there is anything listed that you might be allergic to.
The ingredients offer health benefits toward lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol:
8 oz to 8-1/2 oz of Hemp Milk – Hemp is a complete protein with a balanced ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids. They help reduce inflammation that causes poor blood circulation and high blood pressure. Look for Hemp Milk that is fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Hemp Milk is a great alternative to milk, lactose intolerance or allergies to soy.
1 tablespoon of Almond Butter – Helps to lower LDL cholesterol because it is low in calories, high in important nutrients and vitamins, fiber, protein, vitamin E and antioxidants.
1 Banana – 467 mg of potassium. Potassium is a natural way to lower blood pressure.
½ cup of fresh or frozen Blueberries – Contains anthocyanins which is a type of flavonoid that helps to keep blood pressure down.
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, one or two minutes. If the smoothie is too thick, you can add additional milk and blend again until smooth.
You can also add strawberries, but make sure these are organic. Strawberries that are not organic are loaded with pesticides that even washing cannot remove.
Another ingredient to add is SO Dairy Free Cultured Coconut Milk Beverage with Pre & Probiotics. I found this at Whole Foods Market where the Kifir is located. If you have digestive problems and you need to increase your healthy bacteria, the beverage is a good addition. You can even add Kifir to the smoothie too.
Additional things that you can add are: flaxseed meal; other berries such as blackberries; Chia seeds.
If you want to use Chia seeds in your smoothie be sure that you take 1 tablespoon of seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and soak for 15 minutes. It will become gel-like and it’s ready to add to your smoothie. Chia seeds help to reduce LDL cholesterol and increase nutrients.
Try this smoothie first thing in the morning and see if it helps lower your blood pressure. Continue taking any blood pressure medication as prescribed. Don’t just stop taking your medication as this can cause your blood pressure to go up dangerously high. Always talk with your health-care provider or doctor when you include anything new that’s natural in helping to lower your blood pressure.
Hi Andrea…the smoothie sounds tasty and heathy; however, can any substitutions be made in the ingredients? I live in a small rural town and unfortunately the stores don’t carry Hemp Milk or Almond Butter. Organic fruit and veggies are also a rare find. I love the Whole Foods Store as I’ve visited one when out of state on vacation. Unfortunately, the nearest one to me is about a five hour drive away.
Hi LeeAnn, yes, you can make substitutions. You can use water or other milk such as coconut milk or soy milk or regular milk. Almond butter is something you can make too. I’ll put up a recipe for making your own almond butter and a website where you can buy organic almonds. Do you have local farming where you can purchase fruits and veggies from a local farmer or a farmers market? If you do, you might be able to find one who grows veggies without pesticides. If you don’t have access to local farms, you can use what is available in your own supermarket. Just be sure to wash all your fruit and vegetables so that you can remove as much of the pesticide residue as you can. You can make your own wash with 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 2 or 3 tablespoons of salt and a large bowl of water. Place the fruit and vegetables in the water and soak for about 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse them with clear water and they are ready to use. The vinegar removes the pesticide and the salt kills any bugs that might be on the fruit or vegetables. Bugs may be between leaves where you can’t see them so be sure to use salt in the water.
PS–LeeAnn, you can leave the Almond Butter out of the smoothie. You can make it with all of the other ingredients or substitutions. I use frozen blueberries and other fruit, especially cooler this time of year.
Great!!! I’m going to the supermarket today to get the ingredients for the smoothie. Will let you know you know how it turns out. During the summer, we do have a farmer’s market most Saturday mornings. I will be sure to check it out.
Wonderful! I hope you will enjoy it. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.
Andrea, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your generosity in sharing all that you’ve learned in your quest for good health.
Thank you so much, LeeAnn. I just know how long and hard it was for me to search out the information that I’ve found to get healthier. I decided that I need to share it to help others who are looking for healthier ways to live just like I was and I’m still doing. We are all in this life together so we need to help each other.
Good morning Andrea. I made the smoothie this morning and it tastes terrific. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was pleasantly surprised when I went to the supermarket; I found trial sized packets of almond butter! I used it along with vanilla soy milk, a banana, organic frozen blueberries, and flaxseed meal. This shake will be a convenient breakfast when I return to work. I’m a teacher and I can make the shake, grab it, and go.
Hi LeeAnn, I’m glad that you were able to find so many of the things needed for the shake. It’s great first thing in the morning. It really is tasty and so healthy.