High blood pressure diet: Five must-avoid food items to manage hypertension and why
High blood pressure diet: Five must-avoid food items to manage hypertension and why
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High blood pressure diet: Five must-avoid food items to manage hypertension and why

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High blood pressure diet: Five must-avoid food items to manage hypertension and why

Nearly 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 are affected due to high blood pressure, World Health Organisation says Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke—the two leading causes of death in the United States, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The worst part about high blood pressure is that it has no warning signs or symptoms but can cause problems for your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. CDC says high blood pressure (hypertension) is consistently at or above 130/80 mm Hg. Despite your age, you can take steps each day to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. Some people may be able to control their blood pressure by making lifestyle changes or taking blood pressure medicines.How can you manage high blood pressure?Nearly 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 are affected due to high blood pressure, World Health Organisation says. Out of this, nearly 46 percent of adults are not even aware of the underlying condition. Managing high blood pressure requires early detection, management and a balanced diet. While hypertension often develops quietly, managing it actively through lifestyle — including food choices — helps reduce risks of heart disease, stroke and kidney damage.An individual with hypertension must avoid five types of foods- from salty packaged snacks to alcohol and high-caffeine drinks. The data from WHO shows that most of the people facing hypertension issues are in low- and middle-income countries. Because the condition often has no clear symptoms, it has been called a “silent killer.”ALSO READ: Is your poop healthy? Top expert explains how long should you really take to poop and what you can do to fix your gut healthFive must avoid foods for hypertension-Sodium-rich processed and packaged foods: Avoiding packaged snacks, canned soups, frozen dinners which contain high level of sodium should be avoided at all costs, according to a report by TOI. These food items increases fluid inside blood vessels which in turn raises the blood pressure. A normal adult should take about 2,300 mg sodium per day and those with hypertension should ideally consume ~1,500 mg.Live Events-Sugary drinks and food with added sugar: If you are struggling with high blood pressure, you should limit the intake of beverages like soda, sweetened juices and desserts. These drinks contain added sugars and can lead to obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation. A 2024 meta-analysis of 35 studies found a direct link between sugar-sweetened (and artificially sweetened) beverages and increased hypertension risk.ALSO READ: Harvard nutritionist suggests five science-backed drinks to sharpen your brain and boost memory-Foods high in trans fat, processed meat: Consuming saturated and trans fat can be dangerous for your health as they contribute to plaque buildup in arteries, making them stiffer and more resistant which can lead to high blood pressure. Processed or red meat are extremely harmful since they combine high sodium with bad fats. Instead, you should opt for lean proteins (poultry, fish, legumes) and plant-based fats to keep your blood pressure in check. -Pickled, preserved and canned foods: You may not be aware but many pickled, preserved and canned food items use high amount of salt to preserve them for a longer period of time. This extra added salt translates to extra sodium can lead to high blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular and kidney problems over prolonged period of time. Choosing fresh or low-sodium frozen vegetables is preferable.ALSO READ: Beat diabetes naturally: Four superfoods scientifically proven that can keep your blood sugar in check-Alcohol and high-caffeine drinks: Regular consumption of alcohol may raise blood pressure by over-activating nerves, damaging blood vessels and disrupting hormones that regulate blood pressure. Similarly, high levels of caffeine may cause arteries to narrow temporarily, which can increase pressure. For those with hypertension, limiting these is often advised.People diagnosed with or at risk of hypertension should pay attention to diet as part of their management plan. Avoiding or limiting high sodium foods, sugary beverages, unhealthy fats, heavily salted preserved items and excess alcohol/caffeine can help you manager your blood pressure. Regular check-ups and consultation with a healthcare professional remain essential.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onhigh blood pressurehypertensionmanage hypertensionhypertension dietfoods to avoid for hypertensionsodium intakehow to avoid high blood pressurehigh blood pressure dietfood items avoid for high blood pressuresodium sugar drinks high blood pressure (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onhigh blood pressurehypertensionmanage hypertensionhypertension dietfoods to avoid for hypertensionsodium intakehow to avoid high blood pressurehigh blood pressure dietfood items avoid for high blood pressuresodium sugar drinks high blood pressure(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless Explore More Stories123

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