Sip this creamy, dreamy snack for healthy blood pressure!

Ever stayed up late at night with your stomach growling and wondering if you should dig into a snack?

When choosing snacks, opting for ones that wont worsen your condition is essential.

a photo of a woman pouring a smoothie into a glass

Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.

And if they can improve iteven better!

So, whats the best snack you might munch on late at night?

Kefiris a creamy, drinkable fermented milk product with a slightly tangy taste and a milkshake-like consistency.

A chart of the blood pressure ranges recognized by the American Heart Association. The text reads “Measuring your blood pressure and understanding the readings is critical to prevent and diagnose blood pressure conditions like hypotension and hypertension. These are the ranges recognized by the American Heart Association.” The categories are the following: Low blood pressure with a systolic reading of 90 mmHg and a diastolic reading of less than 60 mmHg. Normal blood pressure with a systolic reading of less than 120 mmHg and less than 80 mmHg. Elevated blood pressure with a systolic reading of 120-129 mmHg and less than 80 mmHg. Hypertension stage 1 blood pressure with a systolic reading of 130-139 mmHg or a diastolic reading of 80-89 mmHg. Hypertension stage 2 blood pressure with a systolic reading of 140 or higher or a diastolic reading of 90 or higher mmHg. Hypertensive Crisis blood pressure with a systolic reading higher than 180 or a diastolic reading of higher than 120.

EatingWell

For a sweet treat, try ourRaspberry-Kefir Power SmoothieorBerry-Mint Kefir Smoothie.

What Makes Kefir a Great Snack for High Blood Pressure?

It Contains Potassium

Bananasarent the only food that contains potassium.

In fact, a cup of kefir contains almost as much potassium as a medium banana.

It Provides Magnesium

Kefir also containsmagnesium, a mineral that plays a role in relaxation.

Taub-Dix says, Magnesium helps to relax blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure levels.

Our best late-night snack choice for high blood pressure is kefir.

Drink it by the glass or blend it into smoothies for a refreshing, blood-pressure-friendly bedtime snack.

2015;6:1177. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01177

Science Daily.Drinking kefir may prompt brain-gut communication to lower blood pressure.

2022;32(Supplement_3).

doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckac131.228

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

FoodData Central.Kefir, lowfat, plain, LIFEWAY.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

FoodData Central.Banana, raw.

American Heart Association.How Potassium Can Help Control High Blood Pressure.

2023;81(3).

doi:10.1161/hypertensionaha.123.20545

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Potassium.

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.

2023;15(9):e46116.

doi:10.7759/cureus.46116

U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Sodium in Your Diet.