Are Potatoes Good for Low Blood Pressure? (Expert Answer)

Short Answer: Potatoes are good for low blood pressure. Because they have sodium and kukoamines, and they can increase your blood volume and lower your blood pressure.

Low blood pressure is a condition that affects your heart and blood vessels. In low blood pressure, your body does not pump enough blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to your organs and tissues.

This can lead to various health problems, such as dizziness, fainting, fatigue, chest pain, and stroke.

One of the key factors in managing low blood pressure is diet.

What you consume can affect your blood volume, which can impact your low blood pressure symptoms and overall health.

To effectively manage low blood pressure, you should consume sodium-rich foods like salt, cheese, and canned foods and avoid potassium-rich foods like bananas, spinach, and beans.

Now, potatoes are a type of starchy vegetable that are widely consumed around the world.

People usually eat them boiled, baked, or fried, with or without skins.

Potatoes are good for low blood pressure because they contain sodium and kukoamines.

Sodium can help increase your blood volume and blood pressure.

Kukoamines are compounds that have been found to lower blood pressure in animals.

One medium potato can give you about 17 mg of sodium (1% of your daily needs) and 926 mg of potassium (20% of your daily needs).

Sodium can help your body retain water and increase your blood pressure.

Potassium can help your body excrete excess sodium and lower your blood pressure.

However, if you have low blood pressure, you want to have more sodium than potassium in your diet.

Furthermore, potatoes are a source of complex carbohydrates and fiber.

Carbohydrates and fiber are good for low blood pressure because they can provide energy and prevent blood sugar spikes and drops.

Because low blood pressure can cause fatigue and weakness, eating carbohydrates and fiber can help you feel more alert and energetic.

You can eat one to two medium potatoes per day safely.

More than that can cause potassium overload, which can lower your blood pressure too much and cause irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, and nausea.

You should also avoid eating potatoes that are green, sprouted, or bruised, as they may contain toxins that can harm your health.

Also, you shouldn’t eat potatoes if you have diabetes or kidney disease, to prevent high blood sugar and potassium levels.

Because potatoes are high in carbohydrates, they can raise your blood sugar quickly and interfere with your diabetes management.

Because potatoes are high in potassium, they can worsen your kidney function and cause hyperkalemia, a condition where your potassium levels are too high.

You can buy fresh potatoes in your local market or can order them online.

Always choose potatoes that are firm, smooth, and free of cuts, bruises, or sprouts.

Because potatoes that are damaged or old may contain more toxins and bacteria.

You can store them in a cool, dark, and dry place for up to two weeks.

Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing low blood pressure effectively.

I always recommend my low blood pressure patients to follow a low blood pressure-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.

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About the Author

Abdur Rahman Choudhury

Abdur Rahman Choudhury is a nutritionist in West Bengal, India, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biochemistry.

He has done his diploma in nutrition from Fabulous Body Inc (US), and completed various certification courses from several universities. He also has considerable research experience in PCOS.

Abdur currently lives in India and keeps fit by weight training and eating mainly home-cooked meals.

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