Is Rice Good for High Blood Pressure? (Expert Answer)

Short Answer: Rice is good for high blood pressure. Because it has magnesium and fiber and they can lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

High blood pressure is a condition that affects your heart and blood vessels.

In high blood pressure, your body exerts too much force on the walls of your arteries, which can damage them and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other health problems.

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

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

To effectively manage high blood pressure, you should consume potassium-rich foods like bananas, potatoes, and spinach, and avoid sodium-rich foods like processed meats, canned soups, and salty snacks.

Now, rice is a staple food in many cuisines around the world.

People usually eat rice as a side dish, a main course, or a dessert.

Rice is good for high blood pressure because it contains magnesium, a mineral that helps relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Rice also contains fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and prevent plaque buildup in the arteries.

One cup of cooked rice can give you about 21% of your daily magnesium needs and 8% of your daily fiber needs.

Magnesium can positively affect high blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and reducing blood pressure.

Fiber can positively affect high blood pressure by lowering cholesterol and preventing atherosclerosis.

Furthermore, rice is a complex carbohydrate and complex carbohydrates are good for high blood pressure.

Because, they provide energy and prevent blood sugar spikes that can raise blood pressure.

You can eat up to three servings of rice per day safely.

More than that can cause weight gain and increase blood pressure.

Also, you shouldn’t eat rice if you have diabetes or prediabetes to prevent high blood sugar levels.

Because, rice has a high glycemic index and can raise blood sugar quickly.

You can buy fresh rice in your local market or can order it online.

Always choose whole-grain rice like brown rice or wild rice.

Because, they have more fiber and nutrients than white rice.

You can store them in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to six months.

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

I always recommend my high blood pressure patients to follow a high 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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