Menu Healthy Lifestyle Diseases & Conditions First Aid Symptoms Tests & Procedures Videos Definitions FAQs Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure?Can eating more whole-grain foods help lower blood pressure?Updated: 2022-06-22Answer SectionIt might. Eating more whole-grain foods on a regular basis might help reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension). Whole grains are grains that include the entire grain kernel — they haven't had their bran and germ removed by refining. Whole-grain foods are a rich source of healthy nutrients, including fiber, potassium, magnesium, folate, iron and selenium. Eating more whole-grain foods offers many health benefits, which may include: Helping manage weight, since whole-grain foods can make you feel full longer Increasing potassium level, which is linked to lower blood pressure Decreasing the risk of insulin resistance Reducing damage to blood vessels These heart-healthy benefits can work together to help reduce the risk of high blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, eating more whole-grain foods might help lower your blood pressure. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet both recommend including whole grains as part of a healthy diet. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should eat about 3 ounces of whole grains a day, or the equivalent of three slices of whole-wheat bread. One ounce of grains approximately equals: 1/2 cup cooked rice or pasta 1 medium slice of bread, tortilla, or flatbread 1 cup of flaked whole-grain cereal The guidelines also recommend that at least half of all grains you eat are 100% whole grain. Examples of whole-grain foods include: Barley (not pearled) Dark rye bread Millet Oats Popcorn Quinoa Whole-grain cereals and crackers Whole-grain cornmeal Whole-wheat bread Wild rice © 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research(MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use