Here’s an important thing to note: high blood pressure affects millions of working professionals. It could happen to anyone, so prevention is better than a cure. While you might think you know the obvious culprits, some of the most surprising foods could be ruining your cardiovascular health. Today, we’re revealing 12 foods that surprisingly raise your blood pressure.
12. Salad Dressing
A lot of popular salad dressing brands are filled with hidden sodium and sugar. Better watch out for the creamy variety, as a single two-tablespoon serving can give you 300mg of sodium. It’s already a huge chunk of your daily recommended limit. Also, the added sugars in dressings can contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance, which would lead to hypertension.
11. Canned Soups
Just a single serving can pack over 800mg of sodium, more than half of the recommended daily intake for adults. The excess sodium causes your body to retain water, which would increase the volume of blood in your vessels. With that, it forces your heart to work hard. Better opt for homemade soup instead.
10. Yogurt
Not all yogurts are created equal. Many studies highlighted that high-sugar diets are a major contributor to hypertension. When you consume excess sugar, your body releases more insulin, which can cause your blood pressure to rise over time. Some yogurts and kefir products can also contain surprisingly high levels of sodium.
9. Condiments
Just one tablespoon of soy sauce can contain over 1,000mg of sodium. That’s already two-thirds of your daily recommended intake! Yup, we’re talking about ketchup and mustard, which can have surprisingly high amounts of sodium and added sugar. These high-sodium sauces can cause your body to hold onto water, which increases blood volume and raises your blood pressure.
8. Pickles
Pickles are a low-calorie snack that many people enjoy. However, they are brined in a high-salt solution that can send your blood pressure to rise. A single large dill pickle can contain over 300mg of sodium. The salt used to preserve pickles causes your body to retain water, which increases the volume of blood in your vessels and puts extra strain on your heart.
7. Deli Meat Sandwich
Imagine just a single 2-ounce serving of some deli meats (processed meats) can contain over 600mg of sodium. You’ve read that right. One study even revealed that phosphate additives that are found in processed meats can directly trigger a brain signaling pathway that increases blood pressure. These additives, listed as ingredients like sodium phosphate, are used to improve texture and extend shelf life.
6. Cottage Cheese
Here’s what you need to know about your dessert’s favorite ingredient. Did you know that a single cup of some popular brands can contain over 900mg of sodium? The high sodium content was added for flavor and preservation of the cottage cheese. But it can cause your body to retain excess fluid, which puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels. Some brands offer low-sodium or no-salt-added versions, so it’s better to opt for those.
5. Energy Drinks
Studies confirmed that the combination of high caffeine and sugar in energy drinks can lead to increased cardiovascular strain. Meanwhile, the American Heart Association warns that the high sugar content can also lead to weight gain and insulin resistance, further increasing your risk of hypertension.
4. Grapefruit Juice
Surprisingly, a Harvard Health article warns that grapefruit and its juice can interfere with the metabolism of several common drugs. It includes calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure. Why? The fruit contains compounds called furanocoumarins that can block an enzyme in your small intestine. This blockage can lead to higher concentrations of the drug in your bloodstream, which can cause an overdose effect, eventually leading to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
3. Whole Wheat Bread
A single slice of some brands can contain over 200mg of sodium. The salt is added for flavor and to help with the baking process, but it can cause your body to retain water and increase your blood pressure. Always check the labels and choose low-sodium options whenever possible.
2. Black Licorice
Black licorice lovers, here’s something you need to know. The culprit behind your favorite snack is a compound called glycyrrhizin. It mimics a hormone that causes your body to retain sodium and lose potassium. Eventually, this leads to fluid retention and a spike in blood pressure. This is a hidden danger since the levels of this ingredient vary between products and are often not listed on labels.
1. Artificial Sweetener
Recent studies suggest that some artificial sweeteners could be just as bad, if not worse, for your cardiovascular health. One study found that erythritol, found in many “zero-sugar” and “keto” products, can increase the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Another common sweetener, xylitol, has also been linked to the same risks.