Looking for ways to keep your blood pressure in check? Unlike salt, sprinkling a touch of black pepper on your next meal may do more than enhance its flavor — it may also help lower your blood pressure numbers.  

While medications are available to get your blood pressure into the safe range, lifestyle changes including a healthy diet and regular exercise are considered first-line treatments.

A growing body of evidence suggests that black pepper can be an important part of a blood pressure-lowering diet. The active substance found in black pepper, piperine, may have similar effects to common blood pressure-lowering medications, says Dr. Mintz. "In animal models, black pepper increases the production of nitric acid, which opens blood vessels."

Black pepper may also inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), the same enzyme targeted by high blood pressure drugs known as ACE inhibitors, Dr. Mintz says. ACE inhibitors stop your body from producing angiotensin II, which is known to constrict blood vessels, the AHA states. "It also may have a similar mechanism to calcium channel blockers," Dr. Mintz says. These drugs lower blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering the cells of your heart and arteries, where it can cause them to contract more strongly. Blocking calcium encourages blood vessels to relax and remain open, the AHA notes. Exactly how much black pepper is needed to lower blood pressure is not known, but choosing the pepper grinder or shaker over the salt shaker is a good place to start. The AHA suggests a daily salt limit of 2,300 mg. "Cutting back by 1,000 mg a day can improve blood pressure and heart health, and one way to do this is to get rid of your salt shaker," Dr. Mintz says, adding that most salt in the diet does come from processed foods. Still, there are more ways to get ahead of high blood pressure.

Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, and many don't know it, the AHA points out. Systolic blood pressure is the upper number in a blood pressure measurement and refers to the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. Diastolic blood pressure, the lower number, is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.

A blood pressure reading under 120/80 millimeters of mercury is considered normal. If either number is higher, it's cause for concern … and action.

Many people have success with the heart-healthy Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan to lower blood pressure, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.This low-fat, low-salt diet focuses on:

• Vegetables.
• Fruits.
• Whole grains.
• Lean protein.

The Mediterranean diet, rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats like olive oil, can also be beneficial for blood pressure and overall heart health, Dr. Mintz says.

Regular physical activity is an important part of the equation, too. "Any time you attack blood pressure, you want to attack it with diet and exercise and no added salt, and get stricter from there," Dr. Mintz says. Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity such as brisk walking, the AHA states. Dr. Mintz cautions that some people will still need medications to lower their blood pressure. These may be started sooner or later based on:

• How high your blood pressure is.
• How long you have tried making lifestyle changes.
• The presence of any other risk factors for heart disease.

"If you have risk factors such as a prior heart attack, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease, we will go to medication sooner than later," Dr. Mintz says.