Beta-blockers are drugs that decrease heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the beta receptors in the heart. Some foods have natural beta-blocker qualities and may also produce the same effect.
Doctors mainly prescribe beta-blockers to treat fast heart rates and high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can cause various symptoms and complications, including heart attack, heart disease, and stroke.
Beta-blockers stop certain hormones from increasing your heart rate and releasing an enzyme that raises your blood pressure.
Alongside prescription beta-blocker medications, some vitamins and compounds in your food may have similar effects on your heart. These natural beta-blockers may not work the same way as the drugs, but they can affect your blood pressure, heart rate, or both.
What are beta-blockers?
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Catecholamines, epinephrine, and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters that control your heart rhythm and rate. When these chemicals bind to the beta receptors in your heart muscle, your heart rate increases, and an enzyme called renin is released. The renin increases your blood pressure.
Beta-blockers block the beta receptors in your heart, so catecholamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine can’t get in. When these hormones can’t bind with the beta receptors, the result is a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure.
A doctor may recommend and prescribe a beta-blocker for you if you have a medical condition such as:
Alongside beta-blocker medications, several natural options can have a similar effect on your heart rate and blood pressure.
Antioxidant-rich foods
Antioxidants are chemicals that combat oxidative processes that cause inflammation in your body. Inflammation is a significant cause of chronic conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.
Eating a diet high in antioxidants may decrease high blood pressure, just as beta-blockers do. Scientists have designed some beta-blockers with antioxidant properties to make them even more effective.
Your body makes some antioxidants. However, other antioxidants occur naturally in foods high in vitamins and minerals. Antioxidant-rich foods include vegetables, fruits, grains, and some animal proteins. Look for red, yellow, orange, and purple vegetables and fruit for the highest antioxidant content.
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Vitamin C is essential to your diet if you want more antioxidants.
Eating a diet high in antioxidant vitamins may help lower your heart rate and blood pressure. One 2020 collection and analysis of different research results found that eating a diet supplemented with vitamin C can lead to a significant reduction in blood pressure levels.
But always talk with a doctor before adding supplemental vitamins or other supplements to your diet.
Some supplements can interfere with your medication or other supplements or have side effects. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that high amounts of some antioxidants may be harmful to certain processes in your cells.
The NIH recommends getting antioxidants from your diet instead of supplements as much as possible. There is no evidence that supplemental antioxidants prevent heart disease. In high doses, some may even increase your risk of death from heart disease.
Potassium
Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte with similar blood pressure-reducing effects to beta-blockers. According to a 2020 research review (a combination of results from different studies), adequate levels of potassium intake can help lower your blood pressure.
Use caution when taking potassium supplements. Always talk with a doctor before adding a potassium supplement to your diet or increasing your dosage. Too much potassium can cause dangerous irregular heart rhythms in some people and lead to a condition called hyperkalemia.
Garlic
Garlic has a good reputation for being heart-healthy.
According to a 2019 research review, garlic may benefit the heart, particularly Kyolic aged garlic extract. Benefits may include improving the following:
blood pressure
cholesterol levels
the viscosity or stickiness of the blood
This review also suggests that garlic can help reduce blood pressure to the extent that there is up to a 40% reduction in the risk of having a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke.
As per a 2016 literature review, garlic supplements, especially aged garlic, may reduce blood pressure and are generally considered safe. Another 2020 research review suggested that garlic can help reduce blood pressure to the extent that there is up to a 40% reduction in the risk of having a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke.
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Magnesium plays a crucial role in heart functioning. It affects the heart’s contraction, rhythm, and rate. Research has found a link between high blood pressure and low levels of magnesium, and magnesium supplements might be helpful for people who can’t get enough just from their diet.
On the other hand, one 2018 medical literature review supported eating magnesium-rich foods in your diet instead of relying on supplements. Foods that contain magnesium include:
whole grains
vegetables
legumes
fruits
nuts
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is a shrub in the rose family. Some people use it to treat heart disease, blood pressure, kidney and digestion conditions, and anxiety.
A 2020 review found that hawthorn may be effective in people with mild high blood pressure.
As with any supplement, always talk with a doctor before adding hawthorn to your list of supplements. It can interact with some medications, including heart medications.
Medical options
Researchers and scientists agree the best way to lower your blood pressure and heart rate is by eating a balanced diet and exercising. And your doctor may recommend certain supplements if you need more of a particular nutrient in your diet.
If a balanced diet, exercise, and supplements are not enough to maintain healthy blood pressure and heart rate, your doctor may recommend a beta-blocker, such as:
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Summary
Beta-blockers prevent certain chemicals that raise your heart rate and blood pressure from binding to the heart muscle’s beta cells.
Although they may not work the same way, some vitamins, minerals, and other compounds have similar beta-blocking effects on your heart. Foods rich in antioxidants are usually helpful in lowering your blood pressure.
