Eating broccoli can help regulate blood pressure and reduce heart risk

The Journal of the American Medical Association describes broccoli as one of the best foods to protect against a stroke. When prepared correctly, it is also one of the tastiest!

Relax your blood vessels

Broccoli is a potent package of fiber, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C. Potassium and magnesium relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that strengthens your blood vessels and retains nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels.

Lower your blood pressure

Broccoli is also particularly high in the amino acid glutamic acid (the flavor enhancing compound responsible for taste sense of “umami”). A Northwestern University Chicago study found higher dietary intake of the amino acid glutamic acid via vegetables like broccoli, was linked to lower blood pressure.

Reduce your risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and stroke

Another compound in broccoli, glucoraphanin, may also reduce risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and stroke according to the study "Dietary Approach to Attenuate Oxidative Stress, Hypertension and Inflammation in the Cardiovascular System.

What are you waiting for?

There is no question that broccoli is one of the top foods to regulate your blood pressure. The only question is to how best to enjoy it and how to know if it is working for your. Use Hello Heart on your phone to track your blood pressure so you have a baseline. Then begin incorporating any of these fabulous broccoli recipes into your weekly diet. Measure the impact on your life satisfaction and blood pressure. What are you waiting for?Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli PastaAsian Broccoli Salad & PeanutsBroccoli Cheese BallsGrilled Salmon and Broccoli SalsaBroccoli and CheeseBroccoli and ChickenSources:

Hello Heart is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. You should always consult with your doctor about your individual care.

1. Gazit T, Gutman M, Beatty AL. Assessment of Hypertension Control Among Adults Participating in a Mobile Technology Blood Pressure Self-management Program. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2127008, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27008. Accessed October 19, 2022. (Some study authors are employed by Hello Heart. Because of the observational nature of the study, causal conclusions cannot be made. See additional important study limitations in the publication. This study showed that 108 participants with baseline blood pressure over 140/90 who had been enrolled in the program for 3 years and had application activity during weeks 148-163 were able to reduce their blood pressure by 21 mmHg using the Hello Heart program.) (2) Livongo Health, Inc. Form S-1 Registration Statement. https:/www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639225/000119312519185159/d731249ds1.htm. Published June 28, 2019. Accessed October 19, 2022. (In a pilot study that lasted six weeks, individuals starting with a blood pressure of greater than 140/90 mmHg, on average, had a 10 mmHG reduction.) NOTE: This comparison is not based on a head-to-head study, and the difference in results may be due in part to different study protocols.
2. Validation Institute. 2021 Validation Report (Valid Through October 2022). https://validationinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hello_Heart-Savings-2021- Final.pdf. Published October 2021. Accessed October 19, 2022. (This analysis was commissioned by Hello Heart, which provided a summary report of self-fundedemployer client medical claims data for 203 Hello Heart users and 200 non-users from 2017-2020. Findings have not been subjected to peer review.)