Açaí berries
Açaí berries are another food that lives up to its hype. According to Elnahar, these little wonders have powerful plant sterols (a naturally occurring substance in grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and legumes) that relax blood vessels and improve circulation. They’re also rich in vitamin A and potassium.
Wakame seaweed
Wakame seaweed is branching out from sushi restaurants and quickly becoming a favourite snack food. “According to a 1998 study of the hypotensive effects of wakame, Japanese researchers found four weeks of eating several grams of dried wakame reduced blood pressure in humans,” says David Nico, PhD, of drhealthnut.com. Other research, such as a study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, has found benefits in terms of lowering blood pressure, too. Nico suggests choosing high-quality varieties that aren’t contaminated with heavy metals or other impurities.
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Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts and other foods high in vitamin C – including broccoli, tomatoes, oranges and berries – all help with circulation. “Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant on the lining cells of our arteries to assist in dilation and therefore blood flow,” says Rachel Carlton Abrams, MD, a physician specialising in family and integrative medicine, and author of BodyWise: Discovering Your Body’s Intelligence for Lifelong Health and Healing.