Introduction
High blood pressure or hypertension is a condition characterized by an abnormal increase in the blood pressure. It can lead to serious health problems if not treated on time. Some foods and beverages should be avoided if you suffer from high blood pressure and want to control it. These include canned foods, refined salt, deli meats, processed cheeses, packaged foods etc.
Canned foods
Canned foods are a high-sodium and salt food, which can cause your body to retain water and increase blood pressure.
If you want to reduce your sodium intake, avoid canned foods. If you do choose to eat canned meats or fish, rinse them thoroughly in cold water before eating them.
Refined salt
When it comes to salt, the less refined the better. Natural salts like sea salt, which is made from evaporating seawater and contains trace minerals, have been shown to be a healthier alternative to refined table salt (which is made by boiling raw brine). The reason? Processed salts have been stripped of their nutrients and are high in sodium—a mineral that can cause fluid retention and lead to high blood pressure if you consume too much of it.
Refined salt doesn’t have any nutritional value; instead, it’s simply sodium chloride with iodine and anticaking agents added for stability and flavor. It has no trace minerals or vitamins like unrefined sea salts do. Reducing your intake of processed foods containing high amounts of table-top sodium will go a long way toward bringing down your blood pressure levels.[1]
Deli meats
Deli meats, with their long list of ingredients, are a source of sodium nitrate and nitrites. These chemicals are added to deli meats to preserve them and give them an appealing color. However, they’ve been linked to high blood pressure(1). Because of the fat content in deli meats and other processed foods like hot dogs or bacon (which also contain sodium nitrite), it’s best if you limit your intake of these foods if you have high blood pressure.
Deli meats also contain a lot of sodium—about half as much per serving as salted nuts—and too much salt can lead to other health issues such as stroke and osteoporosis. In fact, according to the Harvard School of Public Health: “High-sodium diets have been associated with increased risks for heart disease, kidney stones, stomach cancer and death from all causes.”
Processed cheeses
Processed cheese is not the same as natural cheese. If you are looking to reduce your sodium intake, processed cheese should be avoided altogether. Processed cheeses contain salt and additives like preservatives, enzymes, and coloring agents that may increase blood pressure over time. Natural cheeses—like parmesan or fresh mozzarella—are lower in sodium than processed versions and are a better option when choosing a dairy product for your diet if you have high blood pressure.
Processed cheese includes: American Cheese Singles (1 oz.) – 280 mg; Velveeta Light (1 cup) – 360 mg; Kraft Singles White American Cheese Slices (2 pieces) – 180 mg
Packaged foods
One of the first things you should know is that packaged foods are often high in sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends limiting daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day.
In addition, many packaged foods are high in saturated fats and sugar—both of which place significant strain on your heart and arteries.
Tablets/capsules containing caffeine, as well as coffee and tea in general.
Avoid tablets/capsules containing caffeine. Caffeine can raise blood pressure and cause palpitations. Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea and chocolate. It can also be found in some energy drinks, cola drinks and alcoholics’ drinks (e.g., beer).
Caffeine is addictive so it is better to avoid all sources of caffeine rather than just one type which you may find easier or preferable to give up for a while and then return to later on.
Alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine)
Alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine)
Alcohol can increase the risk of high blood pressure, particularly when consumed in large amounts or by those who are genetically predisposed to the condition. Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with other medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke and liver disease, so it’s best to avoid drinking if you’re at high risk of developing these conditions.
The recommended limit for men is no more than 2 drinks per day; for women it’s 1 drink per day. A standard drink contains 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol – about one 12-ounce beer at 5 percent alcohol content or one 5-ounce glass of wine at 12 percent alcohol content
Candy, chocolate and deserts with cocoa powder.
Cocoa powder is a source of caffeine and thus can cause an increase in blood pressure. Chocolate, candy and other sweets with cocoa powder are also high in fat and sugar, which adds to the problems associated with eating too much candy.
These foods will have a detrimental effect on your high blood pressure. It is better to avoid them.
You should avoid these foods if you have high blood pressure. They will not help with your blood pressure and can increase it.
- Alcohol is a no-no in any amount, but especially when you’re trying to get your blood pressure under control. It causes dehydration, which makes your heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Additionally, alcohol lowers inhibitions, which can lead to poor choices like eating unhealthy foods or skipping exercise altogether.
- Salt isn’t so bad on its own—it’s the sodium that comes along with it that causes problems for people with high blood pressure. That goes for all forms of sodium: table salt, sea salt and even Himalayan pink crystal salt (a popular new trend). If you want something salty without all those extra additives and chemicals (and who doesn’t?), try coconut aminos instead! It has a similar taste profile as soy sauce but uses only organic ingredients like sea vegetables instead of soybeans or wheat gluten products like traditional tamari sauces do—plus it contains less sodium than other brands do too! Try making some quick stir-fry tonight using this tasty alternative instead of soy sauce at dinner tonight!”
Conclusion
In conclusion, we hope that this list of foods will help you avoid high blood pressure and its complications. Remember, it’s not just about the food you eat, but also the amount of sodium in your diet. If you have a watch with an alarm function or timer on it, make sure they are set on the correct time so they don’t interfere with your medication schedule!
