High blood pressure is when the level of blood in the body is too high.
This puts extra strain on the blood vessels, which if left untreated can lead to serious health problems like strokes and heart attacks.
High blood pressure can be caused by various things, some of which are out of our control, such as age and family history.
But it can also be caused by lifestyle choices, such as not exercising and eating a bad diet.
In these cases, making simple lifestyle changes and eating more healthily can reverse high blood pressure.
As well as eating a balanced diet and getting your five-a-day, there are some foods in particular which have blood pressure lowering properties.
Jane Michell, founder of Jane Plan, recommends the following six foods.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens such as spinach, kale and cabbage are high in potassium.
Potassium is a mineral which helps the kidneys get rid of salt, which can help lower blood pressure.
Berries
Blueberries in particular are good for lowering blood pressure, as they are high in flavonoids, which can promote healthy blood vessel function.
Beetroot
Beetroot is high in nitric acid, which boosts blood flow by opening blood vessels.
Bananas
Like leafy greens, bananas are high in potassium.
Oily fish
Oily fish like salmon and mackerel contain omega-3, which helps reduce inflammation and can help lower blood pressure.
“In addition to these fish sources, try trout, which contains vitamin D. Foods rarely contain vitamin D, and this hormone like vitamin has properties that may lower blood pressure,” said Jane.
Seeds
Like leafy greens and bananas, seeds are high in potassium, and also in magnesium and other minerals that can lower blood pressure.