Having a healthy blood pressure is crucial for your overall well-being. Of course, the food that you eat plays a huge role in keeping it under control. With that being said, certain foods can cause high blood pressure that would put your heart and arteries at risk. Here are 10 foods you should avoid to calm your high blood pressure.
10. Sugary Drinks
Sugary Drinks like soda and sweetened beverages can cause weight gain, which in turn increases the risk of high blood pressure. Plus, the sugar content can lead to insulin resistance and further strain on the heart. Switch to water, herbal teas, or sparkling water with a splash of lemon.
9. Processed Red Meat
We all love meat! It upgrades your meal and gives you a good source of protein. However, if you’re maintaining your blood pressure, you might want to take a step back on Processed Red Meat. When eaten, the process of digesting it could possibly release compounds that increase blood pressure. Instead, choose leaner cuts and unprocessed meat.
8. Pizza
A high-sodium craveable food for many is Pizzas. Whether they’re frozen or made fresh from your favorite pizza place, it’s most likely high in sodium. One slice of pizza already has around 370-760 milligrams of sodium hidden behind its flavor. But if you’re really craving some, opt for a smaller size and request to remove the stuffed crust. Also, choose veggies as pizza toppings.
7. Energy Drinks
Energy drinks often contain high amounts of caffeine and sugar, both of which can cause blood pressure spikes. It’s a known fact that the combination of stimulants in these drinks can increase heart rate and make it harder to manage hypertension.
6. Condiments
Sugar and sodium, as the common ingredients of condiments, make people prone to high blood pressure. While not all condiments can, it is important to always check labels and be mindful of condiments before adding them to your meals.
5. Frozen Meals
You might want to put off that TV dinner of mac and cheese and chicken fingers you just bought, as they’re found to cause high blood pressure. They’re a cheap and fast meal, but they’re also fast to fill sodium up to your body. Consuming too much of it forces your body to retain water, which puts additional strain on your heart and blood vessels.
4. Baked Goods
Bad news: Bread and rolls are number 1 on the top sodium list of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list. In fact, one slice of bread can already bring you 100 to 200 mg of sodium. Sodium causes high blood pressure, which increases heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.
3. Pickles
Pickle lovers, here’s some bad news for you. It’s time to cut down on your favorite tangy snack. While you’re eating veggies, they actually contain a high sodium content of 85-170 milligrams. You don’t totally have to abandon pickles, but you might want to limit consuming it to one or two slices.
2. Tomato Soup
Sodium found in flavor enhancers of tomato soup causes spiking blood pressure. In fact, one cup of tomato soup gives you about 700 to 1,260 milligrams of sodium. You don’t have to quit on your comforting tomato soup when you can buy low-sodium versions or make your own flavors through herbs and spices.
1. Deli Sandwiches
Who knew that a good old Deli Sandwich could cause a spike in your blood pressure? Sadly, cold cuts and cured meats are found to be high in sodium. Also, cheese, which is a common sandwich ingredient, is high in sodium, too. Sodium preserves meat and cheese, but it causes a rise in blood pressure. Just by eating a Deli Sandwich, too much sodium is already consumed.