High blood pressure is a common condition that affects more than a quarter of all adults in the UK. But, you could lower your risk of developing hypertension by regularly eating mushrooms, it’s been claimed.

High blood pressure – which is also known as hypertension – puts extra stress on blood vessels and vital organs.

The condition could lead to some deadly complications, including strokes and heart attacks.

It could be caused by eating an unhealthy diet, or by not doing enough exercise.

But you could reduce your chances of deadly hypertension by simply adding more mushroom to your diet.

Eating mushrooms may lower your blood pressure as they work in a similar way to some common hypertension medication, according to Healthspan’s Medical Director, Dr Sarah Brewer.

Mushrooms, as well as ACE inhibitors, slow down the action of the angiotensin-converting enzyme.

Reducing the activity of ACE subsequently slows the production of angiotensin in the body.

Angiotensin is a hormone that raises blood pressure, as well as the amount of water held within the body.

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“Mushrooms are a good source of potassium, selenium and also make vitamin D when exposed to sunlight,” Dr Brewer told Express Health.

“Some edible mushrooms [e.g. oyster mushrooms, enoki, porcini, reishi and maitake] have been found to lower blood pressure by blocking the action of angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] in a similar way to prescribed ACE inhibitors.

“Mushrooms are surprisingly filling thanks to their fibre content and are a good choice when watching your weight.

“Slice mushrooms raw into salads, sauté in olive oil with garlic, parboil in bouillon, make into soups, or stuff and bake in the oven. Reishi and Maitake are also available as supplements.”

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Meanwhile, you could also lower your risk of hypertension by simply eating more yoghurt, it’s been claimed.

Yoghurt may protect against high blood pressure due to its high calcium, magnesium and potassium content. All three of these nutrients have antihypertensive effects.

Regularly eating yoghurt could lower your risk of high blood pressure by around 20 percent, scientists have claimed.

If you’re not a big fan of yoghurt, you could always take probiotic supplements, which work in a similar way.

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High blood pressure is often known as ‘the silent killer’, because symptoms only tend to reveal themselves if you have extremely high blood pressure.

The most common high blood pressure symptoms include a pounding in your chest, finding blood in your urine, and severe headaches.

It’s crucial that all adults over 40 years old check their blood pressure at least once every five years.

You can check your blood pressure by visiting your local doctors’ surgery or pharmacy.

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