is extremely high in nitrate which the body converts to nitrite and then nitric oxide (NO), which is a powerful vasodilator. Vascular smooth muscle impacts both the volume of blood vessels and the local blood pressure by relaxing and/or contracting.

acts as a natural ACE inhibitor, as well as a natural potassium-sparing diuretic. It also appears to have an anti-cholesterolemic effect while not decreasing HDL ("good") cholesterol. Also potentiating cardioprotection.

is a natural ACE inhibitor. It's also a natural anti-sclerotic and anti-inflammatory. Both are shown to help prevent stiffening of vessels. This is beneficial for normalizing blood pressure, and is cardioprotective.

is high in phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins (red, purple and blue pigments), which can work as an anti-inflammatory. They also appear to work as an NADH oxidase inhibitor, which is one of the ways in which ACE inhibitors work.

contains phenolic compounds which work as anti-inflammatories. One study showed a decrease in C-reactive protein (a marker for cardiovascular inflammation) leading researchers to conclude that cranberries appeared to have a cardioprotective effect.

is a smooth muscle relaxer. Vascular smooth muscle impacts the volume of blood vessels and the local blood pressure by relaxing and/or contracting. Magnesium has also been shown to decrease sodium concentrations in RBCs without changing potassium concentration.