What Are the Benefits of Berries & High Blood Pressure?

Berries, including blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries, may help lower high blood pressure, according to WebMD. They provide the ideal low-calorie sweetness to any diet and offer great balance of essential healthy nutrients.

The Ideal Berry

• Blueberries are rich in antioxidants.

  Blueberries contain antioxidants such as anthocyanin. The anthocyanin prevents arteries from hardening and stops the arteries from constricting when the body is stressed, which keeps the blood pressure level lowered.

Minerals

• Strawberries are rich in nutrients.

  Maintaining proper levels of minerals in the body help maintain optimal body function. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium function together to reduce blood pressure and maintain a healthy heart. Berries such as strawberries are an important part of a diet as they contain these minerals.

Vitamin C

• Blackcurrant berries are rich in Vitamin C.

  A lack of vitamin C reduces the body's white blood cell count and antibodies, making the body more susceptible to diseases such as high blood pressure. Berries such as blackcurrant berries are essential as they are rich in vitamin C.

Sodium

• High-sodium diets increase the risk of high blood pressure, according to WebMD. Similarly, diets high in potassium help significantly lower blood pressure. Cranberries are essential to lowering blood pressure because they are naturally low in sodium and are also rich in potassium.

Warning

• Note that berries are not a replacement for when properly prescribed blood pressure medication is required. However, the different nutritional factors in berries, when complemented with the proper medication, can bring down a body's blood pressure to a more acceptable or normal level.