Raisins. Français : Raisins secs. Русский: Изюм. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) taking blood pressure in PE (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Raisins: Eating raisins and soy appears to help reduce high blood pressure, thus warding off heart disease. Munching on a handful of raisins three times a day helped people with slightly elevated blood pressure lower their numbers after several weeks, said one of the studies presented at the American College of Cardiology conference. Blood pressure ranged from 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) to 139 millimeters of mercury over 89 mm Hg, or just higher than normal. The raisin-eating group saw significant drops in blood pressure, in some cases lowering the top number, or systolic pressure, by 10.2, or seven percent over the 12-week study. Researchers think that high level of potassium in the shriveled, dried grapes. "Raisins are packed with potassium, which is known to lower blood pressure," said lead investigator Harold B