How to eat onions to lower blood pressure
May 11, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Onions do not directly lower blood pressure, but consuming them can benefit blood pressure recovery in patients with hypertension. They are usually recommended as a suitable food, and can be eaten cooked or in salads. Onions are a common food in daily life; eating them provides essential nutrients the body needs and offers health benefits. Additionally, consuming onions may help dilate peripheral blood vessels.
Onions do not directly lower blood pressure, but they may benefit blood pressure recovery in patients with hypertension. It is generally recommended to consume onions in moderation, either cooked or raw in salads. The details are as follows:
Onions are a common food in daily life and rich in protein, carbohydrates, crude fiber, and other nutrients. Eating onions helps supply essential nutrients and benefits overall health. Additionally, consuming onions may help dilate peripheral blood vessels, thereby providing some supportive effect in lowering blood pressure. There are usually no strict requirements regarding preparation methods—cooking or eating them raw in salads is acceptable. However, excessive consumption should be avoided, as onions are considered a stimulating food that may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as abdominal pain or diarrhea.
Patients with hypertension should not rely solely on food to control their blood pressure. They should follow medical advice and take prescribed antihypertensive medications, such as nifedipine controlled-release tablets or sacubitril/valsartan sodium tablets. During treatment, it's important to adjust dietary habits by adopting a low-salt, low-fat diet and avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption, which could otherwise interfere with blood pressure control.
