Blood pressure: Eating THIS 65p vegetable will lower your heart disease risk

Spinach is packed full of potassium, magnesium and folate – all of which help to lower blood pressure.

Potassium helps to get rid of more sodium through your urine, while magnesium helps to regulate blood flow.

Folate helps to break down homocysteine – an amino acid that can damage arteries.

Other leafy greens that could help to lower blood pressure include kale, romaine lettuce and turnip greens.

Spinach can also help to prevent against cancer and asthma, scientists have found.

Leafy greens’s chlorophyll can protect against some of the cancerous properties found in grilled foods.

Spinach also contains a nutrient called beta-carotene, which protects against asthma symptoms after exercising.

Its fibre and water-rich properties can also prevent constipation, and promote a healthy digestive tract.

High blood pressure – or hypertension – is estimated to affect one in four people in the UK.

The condition puts vital organs under pressure, including the brain, kidneys and heart.

There are about seven million people in the UK living with the condition undiagnosed, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Only a blood pressure test will reveal if someone suffers from high blood pressure.

Hypertension can increase the risk of other deadly conditions, including heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, and vascular dementia.

It’s caused by being overweight, not doing enough exercise, smoking, eating too much salt, or simply being over 65.

An ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, and making small lifestyle changes will help to keep blood pressure at a normal level.

Other foods that can reduce blood pressure include berries, beetroot, skimmed milk, bananas, and fish.