High blood pressure affects 1 in 3 U.S. adults and can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and stroke. While medication helps, nutrition, exercise, and even certain herbs and spices can play a powerful role in managing it.

1. Basil

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Best known for its uses in pesto sauce and Italian dishes, basil contains compounds that may help reduce high blood pressure. Basil contains an antioxidant called eugenol, thought to act like a natural calcium channel blocker .

2. Garlic

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Garlic is one of the richest sources of sulfur-containing compounds, including allicin . Allicin may help relax blood vessels and promote healthy circulation. Some studies have even found that garlic extract can affect blood pressure similarly

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