Hypertension

High blood pressure affects millions of men and women in America. Several studies have confirmed that losing a modest amount of weight—5 to 10 percent of one’s original weight—can lower blood pressure in both hypertensive and nonhypertensive individuals. For somebody weighing 200 pounds, that means losing between 10 and 20 pounds.

In fact, in some cases losing weight normalizes blood pressure among those who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. And for those taking medications to lower their blood pressure, losing weight often enables them to lower their dosage or go off the pills completely.