There are so many preventable diseases that disproportionately affect the black community. 😲 And as we know, these disparities are not solely genetic, but have been influenced by socioeconomic barriers, environmental stressors, and historical injustices.
I am also a staunch believer that in many cases, what is hereditary is our habits. 👀
In America, nearly 56% of Black adults have high blood pressure, compared to 48% of White adults (CDC), but Black individuals tend to develop hypertension at younger ages and experience more severe complications. (I don’t have Bermuda stats, but we seem to have very high instances as well.)
Unmanaged high blood pressure can lead to stroke, kidney disease, heart failure, and cognitive decline. Stress, diet, and a lack of accessible, healthy food options contribute to the issue.
While medication and lifestyle changes are often necessary to manage hypertension, incorporating certain natural remedies can provide additional support.
Now, I know that this is not the usual Black History Month conversation, but I do think it is an important conversation to have. 😊 I think it’s great that we can take charge of our well-being and empower each other with holistic solutions!
But did you know that adding the right herbs and spices to your diet can have a natural blood pressure-lowering effect?
The following spices have lowered high blood pressure in laboratory studies:
- Allspice & Black Pepper – Contain anti-inflammatory properties that support overall cardiovascular health. Additionally, allspice has antiviral and anti-bacterial qualities, making it an infection fighter. Black pepper stimulates digestion, may prevent and treat cancer, eases arthritis, prevents Alzheimer’s and improves brain function.
- Cardamom – Studies show this spice can help lower blood pressure and also decreased platelet aggregation in human blood (blood clots).
- Celery Seed – is packed with cell nourishing phytonutrients, most notably anti-inflammatory phthalides and the antioxidant volatile oil, apigenin.
- Cinnamon – is notorious for balancing blood sugar, but it also has huge benefits on heart protection, metabolic syndrome, controlling PCOS and more
- Coriander – one of the world’s oldest spices, is also a classic for tummy troubles, soothing IBS, easing constipation and stopping intestinal spasms.
- Fennel Seeds – are teeming with anethole and dozens of other potent phytochemicals. They are a powerful antioxidant that is more powerful than Vitamin E in defeating free radicals (according to one study). They are also a powerful anti-inflammatory.
- Garlic & Onion – help lower blood pressure by boosting nitric oxide production, which relaxes blood vessels. Garlic fights (and prevents) heart disease, colon cancer and colds. A team of researchers figured out that if everyone ate one or two garlic cloves per day, the worldwide risk of heart disease would drop by 25%. Onions are anti cancer. They also protect you from heart attack, heart disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis and allergies, amongst other things. They also lower blood sugar.
- Oregano – is rich in the anti-oxidants, carvacrol and thymol, two compounds that prevent damage to cells. It is also antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory.
- Saffron – Has been found to reduce blood pressure due to its rich antioxidant profile.
- Turmeric – has more health benefits than I can even mention. It combats more than 70 diseases, including the biggest ones like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
Stay tuned for an UMAMI spice blend that combines a selection of these blood pressure lowering spices! I’m a big believer in taking my health into my own hands. 😎