Hypertension is an “invisible killer”.  It may result in stroke, coronary disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, etc. One of the risk factors of hypertension is excess intake of sodium or fat. From traditional Chinese medicine’s point of view, the key to preventing hypertension is adoption of low-sodium diet, giving up smoking and drinking, etc. The first step we can take is to adjust our eating habits!

Chinese medicine practitioner Ms Ng Hoi Yin suggested that we can reduce intaking sweets and red meat, including beef and pork. Health-conscious person should contain daily intake of sodium to less than 1-teaspoon (5cc) and frequently exercise.

Below are 8 types of food which can lower the blood pressure:

• Whole-grain—e.g. brown rice, oatmeal. wheat noodles, whole wheat bread

• Dairy– e.g. low-fat yoghurt, low-fat milk

• Nut: e.g. cashew nuts, almond

• Bean: e.g. soya bean, green bean, black bean

• Dark Chocolate

• Dark-green colour vegetables– e.g. celery, spinach, broccoli

• Other vegetables– e.g. tomato, carrot, kelp, onion, garlic

• Mushroom – e.g.shiitake, mushroom

Source: contents extracted from a hypertension talk held by Shatin District Health Centre Express.