A pressure level below 120/80 mm Hg is considered normal. If the range gets elevated beyond this level or comes down to a significantly lower level, it can adversely affect health. However, eating a healthy diet inclusive of vitamins can help control blood pressure.

Keep reading to learn about the vitamins essential to maintain normal blood pressure!

The different vitamins mentioned above play different roles in controlling blood pressure. Hence, to know how vitamins affect blood pressure, individuals have to learn about the effects of each vitamin on high BP and low BP separately. Read along!

For High BP

High Blood pressure or hypertension refers to a condition where the force of blood flow through the blood vessels is consistently high. When pressure elevates, the force of blood flow against the arterial walls also increases, stretching the arteries beyond a healthy limit.  

Individuals with high pressure can control it by adhering to a healthy diet plan comprising essential vitamins.

For Low BP

Low blood pressure or hypotension refers to a medical condition where the blood flow reading is below 90/60 mm Hg. Low pressure can lead to symptoms, such as fainting, dizziness, blurred vision, light-headedness, etc.

However, individuals can bring back healthy blood pressure levels by including specific vitamins in their diet plan. Read on to know about these vitamins that help raise low blood pressure.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and a water-soluble nutrient that helps lower blood pressure. The antioxidant activities of vitamin C help protect the linings of blood vessels from the damage caused by oxidative stress. Further, vitamin C helps increase the level of nitric oxide, a gaseous signalling molecule that plays a crucial role in relaxing arterial walls.

People who have low vitamin C in their blood are at higher risk of hypertension or high pressure than those with adequate vitamin C levels. Therefore, it is clear that specific vitamins can lower blood pressure.

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that influences renin production. Renin is an enzyme that helps to control blood pressure. This vitamin deficiency can cause high blood pressure and hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin system.

According to PubMed Central, studies show that high levels of vitamin D help protect against high pressure. A review among 30,000 people shows that those with the highest vitamin D levels have up to a 30% lower risk of high blood pressure.

Vitamin B:

Several B vitamins, such as B2, reduce blood pressure levels in adults. Besides, B9 lowers pressure levels in heart disease patients. B2 supplements have effectively controlled blood pressure in adults with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation. This condition can lead to high pressure.

So, you must have learnt about the essential vitamins for high blood pressure from the above discourse.

Now let us focus on specific vitamins to avoid for high blood pressure patients

Although vitamin D is beneficial in controlling high blood pressure, excessive intake of this nutrient can have adverse impacts. 

If an individual with high blood pressure starts taking excessive vitamin D, it can result in hypercalcaemia. In this medical condition, the amount of calcium deposit increases and reaches areas including blood vessel walls, liver, kidneys, and heart valves.

The recommended level for taking vitamins in the case of individuals with high pressure may vary across patients. Hence, individuals must consult doctors before planning a diet.

Vitamins that raise low blood pressure include –

Vitamin B12:

 Vitamin B12 plays a key role in producing red blood cells and preventing anaemia which lowers blood pressure. It also protects from excessive bleeding and organ and nerve damage.

Vitamin B9:

 Those wondering how vitamins raise blood pressure must know that folic acid or vitamin B9 can raise low blood pressure and effectively prevent anaemia by producing red blood cells.

There is no particular restriction on taking any vitamins that can lead to low blood pressure. However, one must be careful about choosing a diet and including other items.

Hypotension or low blood pressure sometimes occur as a side effect of medications and diet intended to treat hypertension or high blood pressure. In such cases, individuals must avoid certain food items such as fish oil and green coffee bean extract, which further lower blood pressure levels.

Though supplements help to raise blood pressure levels, those must be taken as per the doctor’s recommendation.

Individuals can maintain a proper diet and prevent adverse consequences with the above discourse on how vitamins affect blood pressure and help to regulate blood flow. Also, make sure to consult a healthcare professional and adjust your vitamin intake accordingly to ensure normal blood pressure.