Are Tomatoes Good for High Blood Pressure?

Yes, tomato can support healthy blood pressure as part of a balanced, lower-sodium diet because it supplies potassium, which helps counter sodium’s effects.

Can tomato help with high blood pressure?

Tomato is a reasonable choice for many people with high blood pressure, but it is not a substitute for treatment. A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis found that lycopene supplements were associated with lower systolic blood pressure; that does not prove an ordinary serving of tomato will have the same effect.

Choose fresh tomato or products without added salt when possible, and follow your clinician’s advice about your overall diet. Tomato is one option among the best foods for high blood pressure, not a stand-alone remedy.

How might tomato support blood pressure?

Potassium helps the body manage sodium and supports normal blood vessel function. Getting potassium from foods as part of a balanced diet can contribute to blood pressure control, although some people must limit potassium for medical reasons.

Tomato also contains lycopene, a plant compound researchers have studied for possible effects on blood vessels and blood pressure. The mechanism is not settled, and results from concentrated tomato extracts or lycopene supplements cannot be assumed to apply to the tomato on your plate.

Sodium matters too. Fresh tomato has little sodium, but some canned tomato products and sauces contain added salt. Choosing a lower-sodium version can help you use tomato without adding as much sodium to your diet.

What does the evidence say about tomato and blood pressure?

The evidence is promising, but it does not establish tomato as a blood pressure treatment. Much of the intervention research has used supplements rather than typical portions of tomato.

In a 2019 randomized controlled trial, adults with untreated high blood pressure received a tomato nutrient complex, synthetic lycopene or a placebo. Some doses of the tomato nutrient complex were associated with lower systolic blood pressure after eight weeks; lycopene alone was not. The study tested a concentrated product, not fresh tomato, and does not justify replacing prescribed care with a supplement.

An observational analysis published in 2024 found associations between tomato consumption and some lower blood pressure readings in older adults at high cardiovascular risk. Among participants who did not initially have hypertension, higher tomato consumption was also associated with a lower risk of developing it. Because the analysis observed people’s eating habits, it cannot establish that tomato caused those differences.

Taken together, these studies support further research rather than a specific tomato dose or a predictable drop in an individual’s blood pressure.

How can you use tomato in a blood-pressure-friendly diet?

Use tomato in meals you already enjoy: add fresh tomato to a salad or sandwich, or use cooked tomato in a sauce, stew or dish with beans. Pair it with a varied, DASH-style eating pattern that includes other vegetables, fruit, whole grains and foods appropriate for your medical needs.

For packaged tomato products, compare the sodium listed on the nutrition label and check the serving size. Look for “no salt added” when available, and season with herbs or other salt-free flavorings rather than relying on salt. U.S. dietary guidelines recommend that adults limit sodium to less than 2,300 mg per day; your clinician may recommend an individual target.

There is no established amount of tomato that reliably lowers blood pressure. Consistent overall eating habits, physical activity and prescribed treatment matter more than trying to reach a particular tomato target.

If you are also comparing beverages, see the best drinks for high blood pressure.

Who should be careful, and when should you seek medical care?

If you have chronic kidney disease, high blood potassium or have been told to limit potassium, ask your clinician or dietitian whether tomato fits your eating plan. Also ask about potassium if you take an ACE inhibitor, an angiotensin receptor blocker or a potassium-sparing diuretic, particularly if your clinician monitors your potassium levels. Do not stop or change prescribed medication on your own.

If you are pregnant and have high blood pressure, contact your maternity care team promptly. Seek urgent assessment for symptoms such as a severe headache, vision changes or pain under the ribs. A child with high blood pressure should be assessed by a pediatrician rather than relying on a food change.

If your systolic pressure is over 180 mm Hg or your diastolic pressure is over 120 mm Hg and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, numbness, vision changes or difficulty speaking, call emergency services immediately. Do not wait for another reading.

If either number is that high without those symptoms, wait at least 1 minute and measure again. If it remains that high, contact a healthcare professional immediately.