5 foods to avoid to lower high blood pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition that is difficult to identify as it rarely causes symptoms.

In light of this, untreated hypertension can cause major health complications.

Co-founder of Newtricion Wellness Dieticians, Omy Naidoo says a healthy diet plays an important role in treating high blood pressure.

Likewise, you may be able to minimise the need to take medication by successfully controlling your blood pressure with a healthy diet and exercise.

According to research by the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware they have the condition.

With no warning signs or symptoms of being hypertensive, it is critical for blood pressure to be checked regularly.

‘Having your blood pressure checked on a regular basis is the best way to determine if you require medication, just as being aware of the foods to avoid can help you reduce your risk of hypertension.

‘If left untreated, hypertension can cause a heart attack, dementia, aneurysm, stroke, or kidney failure.’ adds Naidoo.

Here are five foods to avoid to lower hypertension:

Salt or sodium

Salt, or more specifically the sodium in salt, is a leading cause of hypertension and heart disease, owing to its effect on blood fluid balance.

Your body retains additional fluid when you consume salt, and raises your blood pressure by increasing blood volume and pressure in the arteries.

The mineral in leafy greens including spinach, broccoli, kale, and collards, which are high in potassium, helps the body eliminate salt through urine and relaxes blood vessel walls.

Red meats

The body’s metabolisation of red meat may result in the production of compounds that further increase blood pressure. The colour of the meat influences the likelihood of it raising blood pressure.

Processed foods with trans or saturated fats

To keep your heart healthy, limit saturated fats and avoid trans fats. Synthetic fats that enhance the shelf life and stability of packaged foods are known as trans fats.

Eating them elevates LDL (bad) cholesterol while lowering HDL (good) cholesterol, thereby raising the risk of hypertension.

LDL cholesterol clogs and hardens your arteries, increasing your risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Some of the foods to avoid include fried foods, margarine, meat and dairy.

Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption might cause the muscles in your blood vessels to contract, making them narrower.

When your arteries narrow, this puts pressure on the heart to work harder to circulate blood throughout your body, elevating your blood pressure.

The more alcohol you consume, the more likely you are to develop hypertension. Furthermore, alcohol consumption also contributes to overweight and obesity, which further increases the risk of hypertension.

Sugar or sugar-sweetened beverages

Increased intake of sugar-sweetened beverages is linked to a higher risk of hypertension. While a sugary beverage now and then is fine, consuming a lot might elevate blood pressure.

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