Treating hypertension and feeding it appropriately are vital for the heart and brain. It is known that an important way to prevent high blood pressure is to avoid some triggers of hypertension and adopt a healthy diet as a lifestyle. However, some foods that are known to be healthy can also pose a risk for blood pressure.
PROCESSED FOODS CONTAIN HIGH SODIUM
It’s widely known that salt is one of the culprits when it comes to high blood pressure. This is because sodium makes your body retain extra water.
The water then puts pressure on the blood vessel walls. If a food is processed, it is also likely to contain high amounts of sodium, making it a risk factor for hypertension.
READING LABEL IS VERY IMPORTANT
According to health coach and nutritionist Kendra Haire, cheese and crackers are two risky foods to blame for high blood pressure. This is because they both contain high sodium. “Salty foods and more processed foods contain higher amounts of sodium, which causes the body to retain fluid and put more pressure on blood vessels. This causes your blood pressure to rise. Many processed snacks, sauces, and even some breads contain higher amounts of It contains sodium, so label reading is important if you want to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
FOODS TO STAY AWAY FOR BLOOD PRESSURE
“Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can also raise your blood pressure. While all foods can be included as part of a healthy diet, these particular foods contain higher sodium levels and can contribute to increased blood pressure as a result.” He cautioned against overeating the following foods:
- Highly processed crackers
- Cheese
- Highly processed chips
- Sauces and condiments
- Salt-flavored fried foods
- Canned soups (look for lower sodium varieties)
- frozen foods
- Alcoholic beverages
FOODS THAT LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
“Less processed foods naturally tend to be lower in sodium and therefore don’t cause too much fluid retention in the body. Eating lean protein along with a variety of foods high in fiber and low in saturated fat also helps lower blood pressure.” He recommended eating plenty of the following to lower blood pressure:
- Banana
- Potatoes
- leafy greens
- Broccoli
- Tomatoes
- oranges
- Avocado
- Beans/pulses and legumes
- Grilled or baked chicken (without breaded or sauce added)
- Grilled fish or shellfish
- Whole grains, including brown rice, oats, small amounts of quinoa.