Photo: Getty Images They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But did you know it can affect your blood pressure? It’s true! Research shows that people who skip breakfast are more likely to have high blood pressure (aka hypertension).1,2
So, if you’re one of the nearly 50% of U.S. adults living with high blood pressure, a nutrient-dense breakfast may bring your numbers down.3 “Eating breakfast provides essential nutrients needed for the heart to do its job more effectively, allowing for better vascular tone and blood pressure,” says Michelle Routhenstein, M.S., RD, CDCES , a registered dietitian specializing in preventive cardiology.
But how early do you need to eat breakfast to reap these benefits? To find out, we asked dietitians the best time to eat breakfast if you have high blood pressure. Here’s what they told us. The Best Time to Eat Breakfast If You Have High Blood Pressure
Experts recommend eating breakfast within one hour of waking up to promote healthy blood pressure. “This timing will help your body maintain a balanced blood sugar level early on, decrease the strain on your cardiovascular system, and promote stable blood pressure,” says Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDCES, FAND , a plant-based dietitian and certified diabetes expert.
Routhenstein agrees, adding that eating within 30 to 60 minutes of waking can help manage blood pressure by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol, improving insulin sensitivity and providing blood pressure–lowering nutrients.
That said, if you’re not a breakfast eater, adding this meal to your day is worthwhile, even if you can’t squeeze it in within an hour of waking. “I always tell my patients that the best time [for breakfast] is when they can sit down, enjoy it and make it a routine,” says Kaytee Hadley, M.S., RDN, IFMCP, a dietitian specializing in functional medicine and founder of Holistic Health and Wellness. “It’s not just about what you eat or when you eat. The process of slowing down and eating mindfully is important for digestion and blood pressure, too.”
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The Best Time to Eat Breakfast If You Have High Blood Pressure, According to Dietitians
